SOCIETir 

OP 

INa^IRY  ON  MISSIONS, 

AND 

THE  STATE  OF  RELIGION. 
LIBRARY 

OP  THE 

Theological  Semihary, 

PRINCETON,  N.J. 


BX  5199   .R4  G8  1829c 
Grimshawe,  T.   S.  1778-1850. 
A  memoir  of  the  Rev.  Legh 
Richmond,  A.M.  of  Trinity 


Digitized  by  the  Internet  Archive 
in  2015 


https  ://arch  i  ve  .org/detai  Is/memoi  rof  revleg  h  rOOg  ri  m_0 


New -York  /W.Ai  L-i:  C.  r.a/yiUpf<  .2S23. 


A  ME3IOIR 

OF  THE 

REV.  LEGH  RICHIIOND,  A.  M. 

OF  TRISITV  COLLEGE,  CAMBRIDGE; 

RECTOR  OF  TURVEY,  BEDFORDSHIRE;  AND  CHAPLAIN  TO  HIS 
ROYAL  HIGHNESS,  THE  LATE  DUKE  OF  KENT. 


BY  THE  REV.  T.  S.  GRI3ISHAWE,  A.  M. 

RECTOR  OF  BURTON-LATOIER,  NORTHAMPTONSHIRE  ;  AND 
VICAR  OF  BIDDENHAM,  BEDFORDSHIRE. 


Nihil  metus  in  Tultu  :  gratia  oris  supererat :  bonum  viinim  facile  credere?, 
magnum  libenter. — Tac.  A^ic.  vit.  p.  12S. 


FIRST  AMERICAN, 

FROM  THE  LAST  LONDON  EDITION. 


NEW-YORK: 
.  PUBLISHED  BY  G.  &  C.  CARVILL,  103  BROADWAl . 
1829. 


Sleight  &  George,  Printers,  Jamaica,  L.  I. 


PREFACE. 


In  presenting  the  following  Memoir  to  the  public,  the  editor 
has  to  express  his  regret  that  it  should  make  its  appearance  so 
much  later  than  the  period  originally  designed,  and  under  an- 
other name  than  that  announced  in  the  prospectus.  In  expla- 
nation of  both  circumstances,  it  as  necessary  to  state,  that  the 
execution  of  the  present  work  was  first  proposed  to  the  editor 
by  the  family  and  more  immediate  friends  of  Mr.  Richmond  ; 
but  his  state  of  health  at  that  time,  and  his  temporary  residence 
on  the  Continent  for  its  recovery,  opposed  an  insuperable  dif- 
ficulty. 

In  the  meantime,  the  Rev.  Henry  Gauntlett,  vicar  of  01- 
ney,  Bucks,  and  well  known  as  the  author  of  the  "  Exposition 
on  the  Revelation,"  kindly  engaged  to  undertake  this  necessary 
tribute  of  respect  to  the  memory  of  an  eminent  minister  and 
faithful  servant  of  God,  as  well  as  to  yield  to  the  wishes  and 
solicitations  of  the  Christian  public. 

On  the  editor's  return  from  the  Continent,  in  the  autumn  of 
1827,  a  renewal  of  the  former  proposition  was  made  to  him, 
from  a  persuasion  on  the  part  of  the  family,  that  his  long  habits 
of  confidential  intercourse  with  Mr.  Richmond,  and  their  fre- 
quent participation  in  the  same  objects,  might  afford  advantages 
which  his  friend  Mr.  Gauntlett  did  not  possess  in  the  same 


iv  PREFACE. 

degree.  The  manner  in  which  Mr.  Gauntlett  complied  with 
the  known  wishes  of  the  family,  proves  the  disinterested  and 
Christian  spirit  by  which  he  was  actuated  ;  and  indeed  forms, 
in  conjunction  with  the  above  urgent  entreaty,  the  warrant  and 
authority  for  the  present  undertaking. 

The  editor  further  avails  himself  of  this  opportunity  to  avow 
his  personal  obligations  to  Mr.  Gauntlett,  for  the  various 
materials  he  has  supplied,  relative  to  the  earlier  part  of  Mr. 
Richmond's  hfe  and  ministry,  and  for  the  general  use  he  kindly 
allowed  of  the  papers  and  documents  he  had  prepared. 

To  the  Rev.  T.  Fry,  Rector  of  Emberton,  the  editor  is  in- 
debted for  correcting  and  revising  the  press,  as  well  as  for  some 
judicious  suggestions. 

He  also  begs  to  present  his  acknowledgments  to  those  corre- 
spondents of  Mr.  Richmond,  who  have  furnished  him  with  so 
many  interesting  letters  for  insertion  in  the  present  Memoir. 

.  Circumstances,  over  which  he  has  had  no  control,  have  very 
much  restricted  him  in  the- time  necessary  for  completing  his 
undertaking.  On  these  grounds  he  has  to  solicit  the  indul- 
gence of  the  public.  He  cannot  dismiss  the  work  without  ex- 
pressing his  earnest  prayer  that  its  perusal  may  be  accompanied 
by  the  divine  blessing  ;  and  that  it  may  be  made  subservient  to 
the  increase  of  piety  in  our  own  Church,  and  to  the  general  edi- 
fication of  the  Church  of  Christ  among  all  who  read  it. 


PREFACE 


TO  THE  SECOND  EDITION. 


The  short  period  allotted  to  the  editor  for  the  execution  of  the 
present  undertaking,  prevented  that  deUberate  consideration, 
and  careful  revision,  which  was  no  less  due  to  the  subject  itself, 
than  to  his  own  personal  feelings.  In  the  present  edition  he 
has  endeavoured  to  introduce  a  few  improvements,  by  com- 
pressing some  parts  of  the  Memoir,  and  amplifying  others. 
Grateful  for  the  kind  reception  vvith  which  it  has  been  honour- 
ed, he  once  more  commits  it  to  the  divine  blessing ;  and  if  the 
perusal  of  these  pages  shall  be  found  to  elevate  the  standard 
of  ministerial  doctrine,  faithfulness,  and  zeal ;  and  to  promote 
the  edification  of  the  general  reader,  he  wishes  no  better  testi- 
mony to  the  memory  of  bis  deceased  friend,  nor  a  more  gratify- 
ing remuneration  for  his  own  labours. 


CONTENTS. 


PAGE 

CHAPTER  I. 

Preliminary  Remarks — Birth  of  Legh  Riclimoiid — His  ancestry  ;  educa- 
tion ;  and  incidents  of  early  years — Promise  of  talent — Completion  of 


his  education  at  school  d 

CHAPTER  H. 

Comprising  the  period  from  his  entrance  at  the  University,  till  his  mar- 
riage, and  acceptance  of  the  curacy  of  Brading,  in  the  Isle  of  Wight    .  13 

CHAPTER  HI. 

His  entrance  on  his  professional  duties — Remarkable  change  in  his  views 
and  conduct,  and  the  incident  that  occasioned  it — Reflections  on  the 
foregoing  event   20 


CHAPTER  IV. 

Developement  of  his  character — Dedication  of  his  time  and  thoughts  to 
profitable  objects — Fondness  for  the  scenes  of  nature — Spiritual  re- 
flections upon  them — Zeal  in  his  ministerial  duties — Letters  and  Diary 


— Remarks  on  the  foregoing  27 

CHAPTER  V. 

Relation  of  circumstances  occurring  during  the  period  of  the  foregoing 
chapter  48 

CHAPTER  \T. 

His  removal  from  the  Isle  of  Wight — Temporary  connexion  with  the 
Lock  Hospital,  in  London  ;  and  final  settlement  at  Turvey      .       .  61 

CHAPTER  VH. 


Commencement  of  his  ministerial  labours  at  Turvey — Former  state  of  the 
parish — Plans  and  exertions  for  its  improvement — Judicious  rules  and 
regulations  of  his  Friendly  Society — Effect  of  his  exertions — His  "  Fa- 
thers of  the  English  Church" — Doctrme  and  mode  of  preaching — Brief 
reflections  on  controversy  6T 

CHAPTER  VHI. 

His  talent  for  extempore  preaching — Authority  and  expediency  of  this 
mode  considered — Family  letters — Commencement  of  the  editor's  ac- 
quaintance with  him — Public  institutions — Vindication  of  their  charac- 
ters, necessity,  and  usefulness  


viii 


CONTENTS. 


CHAPTER  IX. 

His  anniversar)  sermon  for  tlic  Church  Missionary  Society — Meeting 
at  Bedford,  in  behal;  of  the  Jews— Bedfordshire  Bible  Society — Tours 
for  the  Jewish  and  Church  iViibsionary  Societies — Extracts  from  his 
Journals — Success  of  these  tours — Their  influence  on  the  general  in- 
terests of  religion — On  his  own  personal  improvement ;— On  that  of  his 
parish  and  family  119 


CHAPTER  X. 

Detection  of  an  extraordinary  imposture  by  Mr.  Richmond — Publication  of 
his  tracts — Review  of  them — Their  great  popularity  and  extensive  cir- 
culation, &c. — American  editions — Remarks  on  the  subject — Mr.  Rich- 
mond's connexion  with  the  Tract  Society       .       .       .       .  .161 


CHAPTER  XI. 

His  appointment  as  chaplain  to  the  Duke  of  Kent — Mrs.  Richmond's  ill- 
ness— New  school-rcom — Report  of  his  son's  death — Embarrassment, 
arising  from  his  publication  of  "  The  Fathers  of  the  English  Church" 
— Interview  with  the  Emperor  of  Russia — Letters  to  and  from  his  Im- 
perial Majesty — Princess  Metstchersky — Letters  to  Mrs.  Livius — 
Verses/written  on  the  marriage  of  a  friead's  daughter        .       .  .179 


CHAPTER  XII. 

Letters — Poetry — Description  of  Lake  scenery — Brief  account  of  his  first 
tour  to  Scotland — His  sentiments  on  Oratorios — Tribute  to  the  memo- 
ry of  his  mother,  &c  200 

CHAPTER  XHI. 

A  tribute  of  affectionate  veneration  for  the  memory  of  a  deceased  Mo- 
ther ; — in  a  series  of  Letters  to  his  Children.  By  the  Rev.  Legh  Rich- 
mond  213 

CHAPTER  XIV. 

Letter,  and  verses — Extracts  from  Diary — Tours  to  Scotland — lona — 
Letters ;  friendly,  family,  and  pastoral — Memoir  of  Miss  Sinclair     .  240 


CHAPTER  XV. 

Death  of  his  infant — Marriage  of  his  eldest  daughter — Visit  to'the  North 
of  Ireland — Texts  on  the  walis  of  his  churcii — Extract  of  a  letter  to 
his  daughter  F. — Isle  of  W  ight  tour — Pastoral  letter — Journal — His 
son  Wilberforce's  illness  and  death — Marriage  of  his  daughter  H. — 
Nugent's  shipwreck  and  death — Apocryphal  question— Mr.  Rich- 
inond's  opinion  on  the  mode  of  preaching  to  the  Jews — Joiirney  to  Cro- 
ixer — Conversation  with  the  editor — Meditation  in  his  study     .       .  26S 


CHAPTER  XVI. 

Closing  scer.e — Funeral — Remarks  on  his  character,  &c. 


316 


MEMOIRS. 


CHAPTER  I. 

i'reliminarij  Remarhs — Birth  of  Legh  Richmond — his  ances- 
try; education;  and  incidents  of  early  years — Promise  of 
talent — Completion  of  his  education  at  school. 

To  record  the  excellencies  of  departed  worth,  and  to  endeavour 
to  perpetuate  their  remembrance,  is  a  tribute  no  less  due  to  the 
present  than  to  succeeding  generations.    Biography,  indeed, 
has  usually  selected,  as  the  subject  ot'  its  memoirs,  the  lives  of 
heroes  and  statesmen,  in  preference  to  the  milder  though  more 
useful  virtues  of  the  pious  and  the  good  ;  because  the  passions 
and  interests  of  men  never  fail  to  be  excited  by  the  achieve- 
ments of  war,  and  the  disclosures  cf  the  cabinet.    But  in  plead- 
ing the  rause  of  religious  biograp.'iy,  may  we  not  urge  the  supe- 
rior importance  of  its  subject,  and  the  hallowed  tetidency  of  its 
aim  ?    Is  the  skill  and  discernment,  employed  in  increasing  the 
resources  and  glory  of  eartWy  kingdoms,  to  be  compared  with 
the  divine  science  of  saving  /mmortal  souls  ?    Are  the  triumphs 
of  the  cause  of  God  less  real,  because  they  are  eteraal  ?  Are 
its  victories  less  interesting,  because  their  object  is  to  contract 
the  limits  of  death  and  sin,  and  to  extend  the  empire  of  the  Son 
of  God  ?    It  is  no  sn^all  praise  to  the  age  in  which  we  live,  that 
religion  begins  at  leiigth  to  assume  the  pre-eminence  which  its 
high  claims  and  heaven-born  character  demand.    The  drama  of 
human  hfe  has  long  been  characterized  by  portentous  events  ; 
and  reflecting  minds  seem  disposed  to  recognise  in  the  past  con- 
vulsions of  empires,  as  well  as  in  the  elements  of  discord  that 
are  silently  preparing  the  way  for  new  conflicts,  that  an  Almighty 
hand  intends  to  make  these  events  subservient  to  the  accom- 
plishment of  his  purposes,  and  to  the  estabhshment  of  his  king- 
dom. 

Among  those  who  have  contributed  to  the  revival  of  religion 
in  the  present  day,  the  subject  of  the  following  memoir  stands 

2 


10 


MEMOIRS  OF  THE 


highly  distinguished.  Hlis  name  has  been  too  long  associated 
with  every  exertion  to  promote  the  growth  of  piety,  both  at 
home  and  abroad,  not  to  have  excited  a  very  general  solicitude 
for  hatever  may  illustrate  the  history  and  character  of  a  man^ 
who  has  so  often  dehghted  the  public  by  his  eloquence,  stimu- 
lated it  by  his  zeal,  and  edified  it  by  his  example.  It  is  to  com- 
ply with  this  desire,  as  well  as  to  fulfil  the  claims  of  a  long  and 
most  confidential  intercourse,  that  ihe  present  memoir  is  now 
presented. 

The  Rev.  Legh  Richmond  was  descended  from  an  ancestry 
highly  respectable  on  the  side  of  both  his  parents,  each  of  whom 
was  related  to  some  of  the  principal  families  in  the  counties  of 
Lancaster  and  Chester.  His  father.  Dr.  Henry  Richmond, 
practised  as  a  physician,  first  at  Liverpool,  and  atlerwards  at 
Bath,  where  he  resided  for  several  years.  His  death  occurred 
at  Stockport,  in  Cheshire,  in  the  year  1806  ;  of  which  place  the 
Rev.  Legh  Richmond,  grandfather  to  the  subject  of  this  memoir, 
was  formerly  rector. 

Dr.  Henry  Richmond  was  the  fifth  in  lineal  male  descent  from 
Oliver  Richmond,  Esq.,  of  Ashton  Keynes,  in  the  county  of 
Wilts,  on  which  estate  his  ancestors  had  resided  from  the  time 
of  the  Conquest. 

The  mother  of  Mr.  Richmond  was  the  daughter  of  Joho 
Atherton,  Esq.,  of  Walton  Hall,  near  Liverpool,  and  by  the 
maternal  side  first  cousin  to  Dr.  Henry  Richmond. 

As  some  additional  account  of  the  family  appears  in  the  pro- 
gress of  this  work,  recorded  by  his  own  pen,  any  farther  state- 
ment in  this  place  is  superfluous. 

Legh  Richmond  was  born  at  Liverpool,  on  January  29thy 
1772.  It  was  his  privilege  to  have  a  most  estimable  mother^ 
endued  with  a  superior  understanding,  which  had  been  cultivated 
and  improved  by  an  excellent  education  and  subsequent  reading;, 
and  who,  with  considerable  natural  talents  and  acquirementsy 
manifested  a  constant  sense  of  the  importance  of  religion. 

This  aflTectionate  and  conscientious  parent  anxiously  instruct- 
ed him,  from  his  infancy,  in  the  Holy  Scriptures,  and  in  the  prin- 
ciples  of  religion,  according  to  the  best  of  her  ability  ;  a  duty 
which  was  subsequently  well  repaid  by  her  son,  who  became  the 
happy  and  honoured  instrument  of  imparting  to  his  beloved  mo- 
ther clearer  and  more  enlarged  views  of  divine  truth  than  were 
generally  prevalent  during  the  last  generation.  It  seems  highly 
probable  that  the  seeds  of  piety  were  then  sown,  which  in  a  fu- 
ture period,  and  under  circumstances  of  a  providential  nature. 
Were  i^estijri^d  to  produce  a  rich  and  abundant  harvest. 


BEV.  iStQH  RICHMOND. 


11 


Ye  that  are  mothers,  and  whose  office  it  more  peculiarly  is  te 
instill  into  the  minds  of  your  offspring  an  habitual  reverence  for 
God,  and  a  knowledge  of  the  truths  of  the  Gospel  ;  be  earnest 
in  your  endeavours  to  fulfil  the  duties  which  Providence  has  as- 
signed to  you,  and  which  your  tenderness,  your  affection,  and 
the  constant  recurrence  of  favourable  opportunities  so  admirably 
fit  you  to  discharge.  Consecrate  them  to  God  in  early  youth  ; 
and  remember  that  the  child  of  many  prayers  is  in  possession  of 
a  richer  treasure  than  the  heir  of  the  amplest  honours  and  the 
highest  dignities  ;  for  the  child  of  many  prayers  can  never  pe- 
rish, so  long  as  prayer  is  availing.  To  faith  all  things  are  pos- 
sible, and  the  promise  stands  firm,  "I  will  pour  my  spirit  upon 
thy  seed,  and  my  blessing  upon  thine  offspring," — Isa.  xliv.  3. 
Pray  then  for  them,  and  with  them.  There  is  an  efficacy  in  the 
bended  knee,  in  the  outstretched  hand,  in  the  uplifted  heart,  in  the 
accents  of  prayer  issuing  from  the  lips  of  a  mother,  supplicating 
God  to  bless  her  child,  which  faith  may  interpret  for  its  encou- 
ragement, and  the  future  shall  one  day  realize.  There  is  also 
a  solemnity  in  the  act  itself,  pecuii;irly  calculated  to  elicit  all  the 
best  feelings  of  the  heart,  and  to  quicken  it  in  the  diligent  use 
of  the  means  best  adapted,  through  divine  mercy,  to  insure  the 
blessing. 

Discouragements  may  arise — impressions  that  once  excited 
hope  may  vanish — the  fruit  may  not  be  a  -parent ;  yet,  in  after- 
times,  under  circumstances  of  the  most  unpromising  nature — 
amid  scenes,  perhaps,  of  folly,  vice,  and  dissipation — or  in  the 
more  sober  moments  of  sickness  and  sorrow  ;  the  remem- 
brance of  a  praying  mother  may  present  itself  with  overwhelm- 
ing exnotions  to  the  heart.  The  events  of  early  days  may  rise 
up  in  quick  succession  before  the  mind,  until  the  long-lost  wan- 
derer, recovered  from  his  slumber  of  death  and  sin.  may  live  to 
be  a  monument  of  the  pardoning  mercy  of  God.  and  his  last 
accents  be  those  of  gratitude  and  praise  for  a  pious  mother. 

It  was  in  the  period  of  Legh  Richmond's  childhood,  that  the 
accident  occurred  which  occasioned  the  lameness  to  which  he 
was  subject  during  the  remainder  of  his  life.  In  leaping  from  a 
wall,  he  fell  with  violence  to  the  ground,  and  injured  the  left  leg, 
so  as  to  contract  its  growth,  and  impair  its  use.  It  is  a  remark- 
able coincidence  that  somewhat  of  a  similar  occurrence  befel 
one  of  his  own  sons,  and  was  attended  with  precisely  the  same 
effects.  It  was  in  consequence  of  this  accident,  that  Mr.  ich- 
mond  received  the  rudiments  of  his  early  education  under  the 
sole  tuition  of  his  father,  who  was  an  excellent  classical  scholar., 
and  well  acquainted  with  literature  in  general. 


12 


MEMOIRS  OP  THE 


In  addition  to  his  proficiency  in  classical  and  other  elementary 
studies,  he  made  considerable  progress,  during  this  period,  in 
the  science  of  music  ;  a  predilection  for  which,  he  retained  to 
the  end  of  his  life. 

The  activity  of  his  mind  soon  began  to  develope  itself.  Some 
specimens  of  the  productions  of  his  early  years  have  been  pre- 
served by  the  partiality  of  his  friends ;  and  as  youthful  talent 
generally  delights  to  assume  a  poetical  form,  his  first  eflTorts 
were  devoted  to  the  Muses. 

We  insert  the  following,  which  were  written  when  he  was 
twelve  years  of  age. 

Before  the  earth  and  sea  to  man  were  given, 
Or  stars  were  spotted  o'er  the  crystal  heaven  ; 
The  face  of  nature  was  throughout  the  same — 
A  rugged  heap,  and  Chao-  was  its  name  ; 
Nor  any  thing  but  piled  up  heaps  were  there, 
And  earth  and  sea  were  mixed  with  fire  and  air  :  , 
No  radiant  sun  by  day  afforded  light, 
Nor  waning  Phoebe  shone  in  midst  of  night ; 
Nor  earth  self-poised  in  fluid  air  was  placed. 
Or  sea,  with  circling  arms,  the  earth  embraced. 

ON  THE  MORNING. 

Behold,  the  earth  is  clad  m  sober  grey, 
And  twinkling  stars  foretell  the  approach  of  day. 
The  hare  runs  timid  o'er  the  bJaded  grass. 
And  early  shepherds  on  the.  meadows  pass. 
In  splendid  majesty  the  morning  star 
Welcomes  Aurora,  in  her  rosy  car. 
The  lark,  the  early  herald  of  the  morn, 
WhoiC  tender  sides  soft  gentle  plumes  adorn, 
Flies  from  her  nest  above  all  human  sight, 
And  to  the  skies  sublime  she  bends  her  flight. 
Her  pleasing  notes  the  ambient  hills  repeat, 
And  day  o'^r  half  the  world  resumes  its  seat ; 
The  splendent  sun's  ethereal  light  appears. 
And  nature  wipes  away  her  dewy  tears. — 

A  few  Hues  in  imitation  of  Pope,  may  be  considered  as  no 
unsuccessful  illustration  of  the  poet's  rule  : 

*  'Tis  not  enough,  no  harshness  gives  offence. 
The  sound  should  seem  an  echo  to  the  sense.' — 
The  line  should  soften  when  the  bleat  of  sheep, 
And  gentle  zephyrs  sooth  io  placid  sleep ; 
When  din  of  rattling  thunderbolts  is  heard, 
The  roughest  words  to  softer  are  preferred. 
When  purling  rivulets  translucent  glide, 
The  liquid  letters  then  should  form  a  tide. 


REV.  LE<JH  RICHMOND. 


IS 


Within  a  labyrinth,  the  Une  seems  vext, 

Mazy,  inextricable,  and  perplext. 

But  when  the  rougher  storms  fierce  rage  on  high, 

And  heave  the  angry  billows  to  the  sky  ; 

When  rattling  rain  comes  hissing  down  in  showers, 

And  to  the  whirlpool  iri  a  torrent  pours  ; 

The  line  should  rage,  and  every  letter  moTe, 

As  if  great  Jove  was  storming  from*  above, 

In  the  year  1784,  when  Legh  Richmond  was  in  his  thirteenth 
jear,  he  was  consigned  to  the  care  of  Mr.  Breach,  of  Reading, 
for  the  purpose  of  obtaining  further  assistance  on  account  of 
his  lameness,  as  well  as  to  pursue  the  course  of  his  education. 
He  wa-  subsequently  removed  to  Blandford,  in  Dorsetshire,  and 
placed  under  the  tuition  of  the  Rev.  Mr.  Jones,  vicar  of  Loders, 
and  curate  of  Blandford  ;  and  having  made  a  very  creditable  pro- 
ficiency in  his  studies,  and  completed  his  education  at  school, 
he  was  finally  sent,  in  the  year  1789,  being  then  seventeen  years 
of  age,  to  the  university  at  Cambridge. 


CHAPTER  H. 

Comprising  the  period  from  his  entrance  at  the  University,  till 
his  marriage,  and  acceptance  of  the  curacy  of  Brading  in  the 
Isle  of  Wight, 

Mr.  Richmond  was  entered  at  Trinity  College,  Cambridge, 
m  the  month  of  August,  1789  The  following  particulars  have 
been  communicated  in  a  letter  from  the  Reverend  A.  J.  Crespin, 
vicar  of  Renhoid,  Bedfordshire,  a  contemporary  of  his  in  the 
University,  and  with  whom  he  formed  an  intimate  friendship, 
which  continued  to  the  period  of  his  death. 

"  I  perfectly  well  remember  that  our  dear  departed  friend 
came  to  Cambridge  for  admission  about  Midsummer,  in  the 
year  1789.  I  was  just  one  year  his  senior.  It  was  then  the 
custom  at  Trinity  College,  that  one  of  the  under  graduates 
should  take  the  candidate  for  admission  to  the  dean,  and  to  one 
OT  two  others,  and  then  to  the  master,  for  examination.  It  fell 
to  my  lot  to  perform  this  office  for  Legh  Richmond,  and  thus 
our  friendship  commenced.  He  came  into  residence,  according 
to  the  usual  plan,  in  the  following  October  ;  we  were  both 
among  the  candidates  for  foundation  scholarships,  and  after  a 
public  examination  of  two  or  three  days,  we  were  happy  on  find- 
ing our  names  among  the  succeseful  candidates  ;  and  ss  wfe 


2* 


14 


MEMOIRS  OF  THE 


afterwards  dined  every  day  at  the  same  table,  the  bands  of  our 
friendship  were  drawn  still  closer.  *  *  * 

*'  I  can  with  perfect  truth  affirm,  that  during  the  under-gradu- 
ateship  of  Mr.  Richmond,  he  applied  himse'f  closely  to  his  stu- 
dies, and  was  considered  and  acknowledged  by  all,  to  be  a  young 
man  of  great  abilities  and  correct  conduct.'' 

A  letter  from  the  Rev.  VViUiam  Tate,  chaplain  of  the  Dock- 
yard, Portsmouth,  and  tutor  of  the  Naval  Academy,  contains 
a  further  and  more  detailed  account  of  Mr.  Richmond's  resi- 
dence at  college. 

"  Mr.  Richmond  and  myself  were  of  the  same  year  at  Cam- 
bridge, and  had  the  same  college  tutor,  the  late  Rev.  Thomas 
Jones.  We  were  not,  however,  in  the  same  lecture  room  till 
within  a  year  of  our  taking  the  degree  of  A.  B. ;  hence,  our 
intimacy  did  not  commence  till  about  the  beginning  of  1793, 
Mr.  Richmond  came  to  college  with  a  high  character  for  his  pro- 
ficiency, both  in  classics  and  mathematics.  In  fact,  I  often 
heard  him  spoken  of  as  likely  to  be  one  of  the  third  or  fourth 
highest  wranglers.  At  the  annual  college  examination  in  May, 
he  was  each  year  in  the  first  class,  and  consequently  was  a  prize- 
man. I  do  not  recollect  that  he  ever  was  a  candidate  for  a 
University  prize  ;  indeed  I  think  that  although  he  was  an  ex- 
tremely good  classic,  he  did  not  consider  himself  sufficiently 
practised  in  writing  Greek  or  Latin  verse,  to  venture  a  compe- 
tition in  this  respect  with  the  distinguished  men  from  the  great 
public  schools. 

"  That  he  had  a  great  fondness  for  social  life  is  not  to  be 
wondered  at,  as  he  was  so  well  informed  on  most  subjects,  and 
had 'such  a  fluency  of  language,  that  conversation  with  him  never 
flagged,  and  his  company  was  generally  acceptable.  He  visited 
at  the  Lodge,  Dr.  Postlethvvaith  being  then  master,  and  was 
noticed  by  some  of  the  senior  fellows,  in  consequence,  I  pre- 
sume, ot  their  having  been  friends  of  his  father.  Dr.  Richmond, 
who  had  himself  been  a  fellow  of  the  college,  and  whose  name 
stands  in  the  Tripos  as  having  been  the  tenth  senior  optime,  in 
January,  1764. 

*'  Mr.  Richmond's  great  recreation  was  music,  in  which  I  sup- 
pose you  are  aware  he  was  eminently  skilled.  He  always  had 
.  a  piano-forte  in  his  room,  and  played  on  the  organ  also.  To 
any  tune  he  could,  as  he  played,  make  an  extempore  thorough 
bass.  His  musical  talents  gave  rise  to  a  great  intimacy  and 
friendship  with  the  late  Dr.  Hague,  the  professor  of  music,  and 
also  with  Dr.  Jowett,  then  tutor  of  Trinity  Hall,  who  used  to 
have  frequent  musical  parties  at  his  apartments,  at  which  I  be- 


REV.  LEGH  RICHMOND. 


15 


Heve  Mr.  Richmond  was  generally  present.  He  was  at  all 
times  attentive  to  the  studies  of  the  University,  and  preserved, 
throughout,  the  character  of  a  reading  man.  Mr.  Copley  (now 
the  Lord  Chancellor)  had  apartments  directly  under  those  of 
Mr.  Richmond,  and  as  they  were  both  reading  hard,  they  com- 
monly, for  some  months  before  taking  the  degree  of  A.  B.,  had 
coffee  together  after  midnight.  He  went  through  the  public  ex- 
ercises of  the  schools,  preparatory  to  his  degree,  with  great  cre- 
dit, and  was  accordingly  placed  by  the  moderator  in  the  first 
class.  He  did  not,  however,  go  into  the  senate-house  to  stand 
the  final  examination,  owing  to  ill-health.  Dr.  Butler,  master 
of  Harrow  School,  was  the  senior  wrangler,  and  Mr.  Copley  the 
second  ;  and  I  have  a  printed  Tripos  for  1794,  now  lying  before 
me,  at  the  bottom  of  which  are  the  following  words  : — 

^        (  Ds.  Ashworth,  Eman.  )  In  Ima  Quaestionistarum  classe  a  modc- 
^    *  I  Ds.  Richmond,  Trin.  )  ratoribus  censebantur. 

"  I  believe  our  year  was  the  last  in  which  those  who  went  out 
CEgrot.  in  the  first  class,  were  noticed  in  the  Tripos.  Ever 
since,  the  names  of  such  graduates  have  been  omitted  in  the 
list  of  honours  ;  and  the  Cambridge  Calender,  in  giving  a  hst 
of  honours  for  each  year,  has  omitted  the  names  of  the  CEgrot. 
in  1794,  and  all  the  preceding  years,  although  they  were  actually 
printed  in  the  original  lists.  Mr.  Richmond  for  some  years  was 
collecting  materials  for  a  great  work,  which  he  intended  to  pub- 
lish, on  the  theory  as  well  as  history  of  music.  After  taking 
his  degree,  he  applied  himself  with  great  ardour  to  his  favourite 
study,  and  took  much  pams  to  provide  materials  for  his  intended 
musical  publication,  which  he  hoped  might  be  ready  for  the 
press  in  the  course  of  two  or  three  years.  I  have  frequently 
sat  with  him,  while,  for  hours  together,  he  was  making  experi- 
ments with  his  musical  plates,  of  which  he  had  a  great  number, 
some  of  glass  and  some  of  copper,  of  all  the  common  regular 
forms  ;  as  circles,  ellipses,  squares,  rhombuses,  pentagons,  &c. 
These  he  screwed  down  at  a  particular  point,  so  as  to  be  per- 
fectly horizontal ;  and  then,  having  sprinkled  fine  sand  over  the 
surface,  the  bow  of  a  fiddle  was  drawn  across  the  edge,  so  as  to 
draw  forth  a  musical  note  ;  and,  by  the  vibration  thus  caused, 
the  sand  was  shaken  from  the  vibrating  parts,  and  became  col- 
lected in  one  line  or  more,  formed  by  the  quiescent  points.  It 
seemed  very  remarkable,  that  whenever  that  particular  note 
which  was  the  fundamental  of  any  plate  was  sounded  by  it,  the 
sand  invariably  took  the  form  of  a  cross,  having  its  centre  in  the 
centre  of  the  plate.    All  other  notes  which  could  be  sounded  by 


16 


MEMOIUS  OF"  THE 


the  same  plate,  diverged  from  the  fundamental  note,  according 
to  a  certain  scale  ;  and  every  one  caused  the  sand  to  take  a  dif- 
ferent form.  Sometimes  it  seemed  to  take  the  hgure  of  two 
opposite  hyperbolas  ;  but  in  whatever  form  it  rested,  the  figures 
on  the  different  sides  of  a  straight  hne,  drawn  through  the  centre 
of  the  plate,  were  exactly  the  counterparts  of  each  other.  The 
lines  formed  by  the  quiescent  pomts,  in  the  vibrations  of  such 
plates,  were  calculated  by  Euler,  as  may  be  seen  by  the  Trans- 
actions of  the  Imperial  Society  of  Petersburgh  {Acta  Petropo- 
litana;)  but  the  results  are  little  satisfactory,  being  commonly 
expressed  in  hyperbolic  forms,  and  not  assuming  a  tangible 
shape. 

About  this  time  Mr.  Richmond  was  member  of  a  small 
club,  formed  by  six  or  eight  Trinity  men,  for  the  discussion  of 
philosophical  s  ibjects.  They  met  once  a  week,  at  each  other's 
rooms  ;  and,  to  prevent  expense  in  giving  suppers,  nothing  more 
"was  to  be  provided  than  red-herrings,  bread,  cheese,  and  beer. 
Hence  they  called  this  society  the  Red-herring  Club."  The 
respectability  of  the  members  appears  from  this  circumstance, 
that  nearly  every  one  obtained  a  fellowship.  Mr.  Richmond 
took  a  leading  part  at  this  time  in  another  small  society,  which 
was  named  "  The  Harmonic  Society."  The  members  were 
musical  amateurs,  who,  in  turn,  gave  a  concert  every  fortnight, 
at  which,  with  the  help  of  two  or  three  hired  musicians,  they 
performed  pieces  out  of  Handel  and  other  celebrated  compo- 
sers, together  with  catches,  glees,  &c.  In  1796  was  published, 
by  Mr.  Dixon,  a  townsman  of  Cambridge,  and  one  of  the  mem- 
bers of  the  Harmonic  Society,  a  collection  of  glees  and  rounds, 
for  three,  four,  and  five  voices,  composed  by  the  members  of 
that  society.  In  this  publication,  out  of  seventeen  pieces, 
seven  were  contributed  by  Mr.  Richmond. 

"in  1796,  Mr.  Richmond  began  seriously  to  think  of  taking 
orders,  and  of  marrying  on  a  curacy.  In  that  situation,  he  in- 
tended conscientiously  to  do  his  duty,  though  he  had  not  the  deep 
sense  he  afterwards  entertained  of  the  vast  importance  and 
responsibility  of  the  charge  he  was  about  to  undertake." 

The  important  period  to  which  Mr.  Tate  alludes  was  now 
arrived,  when  it  became  necessary  that  he  should  no  longer  delay 
his  choice  of  a  profession, — that  choice,  which  exercises  so 
powerful  an  influence  over  all  the  events  and  circumstances  of 
future  life,  and  in  which  our  usefulness  and  moral  responsibility 
are  so  deeply  involved. 

It  was  the  wish  and  intention  of  Dr.  Richmond  that  his  son 
should  direct  his  attention  to  the  law,  With  the  view  of  "being 


REV.  LEGH  RICHMOND. 


17 


called  to  the  bar  ;  but  after  taking  his  degree,  the  predominant 
views  of  his  mind  are  thus  expressed  in  the  following  letter  : — 

"  Cambridge,  Feb.  18th.  1794. 
My  dear  Father, — It  has  long  been  my  wish  to  write  to  you 
on  the  subject  which  has  occupied  so  much  of  my  attention  of 
late  ;  and  on  which,  during  the  solemn  interval  of  my  confine- 
ment, I  had  more  frequent  opportunities  of  meditating  than  on 
any  former  occasion.  I  hope  and  trust  that  I  have  thought  more 
seriously  on  this  subject,  and  have  pursued  a  more  regular  train 
of  sound  reasoning  and  self-examination  on  account  of  my 
illness,  than  if  I  had  enjoyed  an  uninterrupted  series  of  good 
health.  The  time  is  now  arrived  when,  after  having  passed 
through  the  regular  forms  of  an  academic  education,  it  is 
expected  that  a  young  man  should  select  his  profession  ;  and 
on  the  foundation  (which  he  either  has,  or  ought  to  have  laid  in 
the  university)  of  sound  learning  and  good  morals,  should  begin 
to  raise  a  superstructure  of  such  materials  as  may  render  him 
an  ornament  to  his  profession,  and  a  satisfaction  to  his  friends. 

"  I  should  here  feel  myself  guilty  of  much  ingratitude,  or  at 
least  of  much  unpardoaahle  neslect.  it  I  did  nnt,  at  this  period  of 
my  Hfe,  return  you  my  most  sincere  and  unfeigned  thanks  for  the 
repeated  testimonies  of  affection  and  generosity,  which  I  have 
experienced  for  upwards  of  two-and-twenty  years  at  your  hands: 
more  especially  do  I  feel  myself  indebted  to  you,  during  the 
last  four  years,  for  placing  me  in  a  situation  in  which  I  have  enjoy- 
ed numberless  happy  hours  ;  have  formed  friendships  and  con- 
nexions, which  are  a  source  of  honest  pride  nnd  satisfaction;  and 
have  had  an  opportunity  (which  I  hope  I  have  not  entirely  thrown 
away)  of  makini?  great  proficiency  in  such  studies  and  acquire- 
ments, as  must  and  will  be  the  chief  basis  of  my  future  usefulness 
and  happiness.  If  such  be  the  obligation  which  I  owe  to  your 
kindness,  what  must  be  my  insensibility  to  every  tie  of  affection, 
and  to  every  principle  of  honourable  feelin^r,  were  I  deficient  in 
my  expressions  of  gratitude  to  the  benevolent  author  of  so 
many  blessings.  No,  sir,  I  am  neither  ungrateful  nor  insensi- 
ble. It  has  not  been  my  custom,  hitherto,  to  make  long  profes- 
sions, nor  to  enter  into  a  detail  of  my  internal  feelings  ;  and, 
perhaps,  owing  to  a  deficiency  of  this  kind,  I  may  have  suffered 
in  your  opinion,  on  some  particular  occasions,  more  than  I 
deserved.  It  now  appears,  therefore,  to  be  the  more  advisable 
to  unfold  myself  at  large,  observing,  at  the  same  time,  that  the 
chief  faults  and  errors  of  which  I  hitherto  have  been,  and  of 
which  I  am  still,  I  fear,  too  susceptible,  have  not  arisen  from  any 


18  MEMOIRS  OF  THE 

source  of  moral  depravity,  or  innate  viciousness  ;  but  from  an 
evil,  which  [  see  much  too  prevalent  among  young  men,  and 
from  the  contagion  of  which  I  have  not  been  entirely  able  to 
escape ;  I  mean,  the  want  of  resolution  to  resist  temptation, 
when  it  is  opposed  to  their  better  convictions.  A  very  moderate 
acquaintance  with  the  younger  part,  at  least,  of  mankind,  wiW 
convince  any  observer,  that  a  certain  degree  of  irresolution  is 
by  no  means  inconsistent  with  many  better  qualities,  and  often 
has  its  origin  rather  in  the  influence  of  external  example,  than 
in  any  real  viciousness  of  the  heart.  Hut  I  can  truly  say  that  I 
am  very  desirous  of  becoming  such  as  your  most  sanguine 
wishes  could  expect,  and  I  look  up  to  a  superior  Power  for 
assistance  not  to  violate  these  my  resolutions. 

It  appears  to  me,  that  in  reviewing  the  respective  merits  of 
the  different  professions,  and  in  determining  upon  one  of  them, 
a  very  intimate  self-examination  is  requisite,  previous  to  the 
formation  of  any  fixed  resolution.  It  has  been  my  endeavour 
for  five  months  past  to  pursue  this  difficult  undertaking  ;  and  I 
hope  1  have  not  failed  in  the  attempt.  The  church  and  the  law 
are  the  two  subjects  to  which  I  have  directed  my  attention.  I 
have  consulted  my  own  inclinations,  abilities,  deficiencies, 
merits,  and  demerits,  and  examined  them  in  as  many  points  of 
view  as  I  have  been  able,  in  order  to  deterniine  which  of  those 
professions  was  the  best  calculated  to  promote  my  own,  and  the 
welfare  of  others  My  present  determination  is  in  favour  of 
the  former,  principally  from  the  following  considerations.  The 
sacred  profession  is  m  itself  without  doubt  the  most  respectable 
and  the  most  useful  in  which  any  man  of  principle  and  educa- 
tion can  possibly  be  engaged.  The  benefits  which  it  is  the  pro- 
vince of  the  clergyman  to  bestow  on  his  fellow-creatures  are 
more  widely  disseminated,  and  are  m  themselves  more  intrinsic- 
ally valuable,  than  those  of  every  other  profession  or  employ- 
ment united  together.  To  a  conscientious  mind,  therefore,  that 
line  of  hfe  appears  to  be  the  most  eligible,  in  which  he  may  be 
enabled  to  do  the  most  good  to  mankind. 

"  One  further  argument  with  myself  for  preferring  the  church 
to  the  law  is,  that  I  have  found,  from  four  years'  experience,  a 
strong  inclination  to  study  several  branches  of  literature,  which 
are  far  more  connected  with  the  church  than  with  the  law,  as 
neither  their  nature  nor  the  time  requisite  to  be  bestowed  upon 
them  would  allow  the  lawyer  to  exercise  himself  in  them. 
What  these  are  shall  be  the  subject  of  future  information  to 
you.  At  present,  my  desire  of  becoming  a  very  good  general 
scholar  is  so  much  stronger  than  that  of  becoming  an  ex- 


REV.  LEGH  RICHMOND. 


19 


TREMiELY  good  particular  one,  that  I  am  convinced  I  could  not 
throw  aside  the  hopes  of  pursuing  my  favourite  views  in  that 
way,  and  dedicating  myself  solely  to  one,  and  that  perhaps  not 
the  most  inviting,  without  the  utmost  regret.  Your  affection- 
ate son,  Legh  Richmond." 

In  these  views  Dr.  Richmond  ultimately  expressed  his  acqui- 
escence, though  his  own  wishes  inclined  him  to  recommend  the 
choice  of  the  bar  ;  and  thus  was  the  profession  of  the  church 
determined  upon,  for  which  he  subsequently  proved  to  be  so 
singularly  qualified,  and  where  his  influence  and  services  were 
so  widely  felt  and  acknowledged. 

He  continued  to  reside  at  Cambridge  till  the  end  of  the  Mid- 
summer term,  in  1797,  pursuing  those  studies  which  were  more 
immediately  connected  with  his  future  destination. 

The  following  letter,  the  last  that  he  wrote  from  college  to  his 
father,  expresses  his  sentiments  more  fully  on  the  subject  of  the 
ministry,  and  his  preparation  for  those  duties,  on  which  he  was 
now  on  the  eve  of  entering.    It  is  dated  June  30th,  1797  : — 

"  My  dear  Father, — I  take  this  opportunity  of  returning  you 
my  most  hearty  and  sincere  thanks  for  all  your  kindness  to  me 
during  my  stay  at  Cambridge,  for  nearly  the  last  eight  years. 
I  look  back  on  the  time  which  I  have  there  spent,  with  a  con- 
siderable mixture  of  pain  and  pleasure.  That  I  have  done 
things  which  I  ought  not  to  have  done,  and  neglected  to  do 
things  which  I  ought  to  have  done,  is  most  true  :  yet  have  I 
added  very  considerably  to  my  stock  of  literary  information — 
have  gained  the  good-will  and  approbation  of  many  respectable 
and  good  men — have  made  acquaintances  and  friends  of  several 
literary  and  worthy  characters — have  enabled  myself,  I  trust, 
by  the  improvement  of  my  abilities,  such  as  they  are,  hereafter 
to  maintain  myself.  I  have  also  had  an  opportunity  of  contem- 
plating men,  manners  and  morals  to  a  very  extensive  degree  ; 
and  finally,  in  an  age  of  much  infidelity,  and  surrounded  by 
many,  whose  principles  savoured  strongly  of  irreligion,  I  have 
built  up  a  fabric  of  confidence  in,  and  love  for,  that  holy  re- 
ligion of  which  I  am  now  a  professor.  To  this  I  ultimately  look 
as  my  ftuure  guide  through  life,  and  hope  it  will  enable  me  to 
bear  with  fortitude  those  evils  which  may  be  in  store  for  me ; 
for  who  can  expect  exemption  ?  In  return  for  these  advantages, 
I  have  to  offer  you  my  gratitude,  and  my  affection  ;  and  let  what 
will  hereafter  become  of  me,  bear  in  mind  that  it  is  not  in  the 
power  of  any  thing  human  to  lessen  either  the  one  or  the  other. 
1  am  now  preparing  to  undertake  what  I  cannot  but  consider  a's 


20 


MEMOIRS  OF  THE 


a  most  serious  and  weighty  charge — the  sole  responsibility,  as 
resident  clergyman,  of  two  parishes.  So  far  as  information  is 
required,  I  hope  I  have  not  laboured  in  vain  ;  so  far  as  good  re- 
solution is  concerned,  I  trust,  I  am  not  deficient :  as  regards  my 
success  and  future  conduct  in  this  important  calling,  I  pray 
God's  assistance  to  enable  me  to  do  my  duty,  and  to  become  a 
worthy  member  of  the  Established  Church  ;  a  church  founded 
on  the  purest  and  most  exalted  principles  of  unsophisticated 
Christianity,  as  deUvered  by  its  divine  Author  himself,  and  con- 
firmed and  explained  by  his  inspired  successors.  The  character 
of  a  fashionable  parson  is  my  aversion ;  that  of  an  ignorant  or 
careless  one,  I  see  with  pity  and  contempt ;  that  of  a  dissipated 
one  with  shame  ;  and  that  of  an  unbelieving  one  with  horror. 
I  wish  you  to  read  a  httle  book  lately  published,  intituled,  '  Dia- 
logues on  the  Amusements  of  Clergymen.'  You  will  be  pleased 
with  it,  as  will  my  mother  also,  I  am  certain.  I  am  very  busy 
preparing  sermons  for  my  future  flock.  It  requires  much  prac- 
tice to  write  with  fluency  and  ease.  Beheve  me  to  be,  with 
every  sentiment  of  regard  and  affection, — Your  son, 

"  L.  Richmond. 

"  To  Dr.  Richmond, 
Grecian  Coffee  House,  London.^'' 

Mr.  Richmond  was  ordained  deacon  in  the  month  of  June, 
1797,  and  took  the  degree  of  M.  A.,  the  beginning  of  July,  iti 
,  the  same  year.  On  the  22d  of  the  same  month,  he  was  mar- 
"i^ef^ied  to  Mary,  only  daughter  of  James  William  Chambers,  Esq., 
of  the  city  of  Bath  ;  immediately  after  which,  he  proceeded  to 
the  Isle  of  Wight,  and  entered  upon  the  curacies  of  the  adjoin- 
ing parishes  of  Brading  and  Yaverland,  on  the  24th  of  July. 
He  was  ordained  priest  in  February,  1798. 


CHAPTER  HI. 

His  entrance  on  his  professional  duties — Hemarhahle  change  in 
his  vieivs  and  conduct,  and  the  incident  that  occasioned  it — J2e- 
jiections  on  the  foregoing  event. 

Mr.  Richmond  appears  to  have  entered  on  the  ministry  with 
the  desire  and  aim  of  discharging  its  important  duties  in  a  con- 
scientious manner ;  and  he  manifested  such  propriety  of  conduct 
in  his  moral  deportment,  and  in  the  general  duties  of  his  new 


REV.  LEGH  RICHMOND. 


21 


charge,  as  to  procure  for  him  the  character  of  a  highly  respect- 
able and  useful  young  clergyman.  A  few  months  after  his  re- 
sidence at  Brading,  a  most  important  revolution  took  place  in 
his  views  and  sentiments,  which  produced  a  striking  and  promi- 
nent change  in  the  manner  and  matter  of  his  preaching,  as  well 
as  in  the  general  tenor  and  conduct  of  his  hfe.  This  change 
was  not  a  conversion  from  immorality  to  morality  ;  for  he  was 
strictlv  moral,  in  the  usual  acceptation  of  the  term.  Neither 
was  it  a  conversion  from  heterodoxy  to  orthodoxy  ;  but  it  was  a 
conversion  from  orthodoxy  in  name  and  profession,  to  orthodoxy 
in  its  spirit,  tendency,  and  influence.  But  before  we  indulge  in 
any  further  remarks,  it  is  necessary  to  record  the  particulars  of 
the  occurrence  to  which  we  have  alluded.  Shortly  after  he  had 
entered  on  his  curacies,  one  of  his  college  friends  was  on  the 
eve  of  taking  holy  orders,  to  whom  a  near  relative  had  sent  Mr. 
"VVilberforce's  "  Practical  Christianity."  This  thoughtless  can- 
didate for  the  momentous  charge  of  the  Christian  ministry  for- 
warded the  book  to  Mr.  Richmond,  requesting  him  to  give  it  a 
perusal,  and  to  inform  him  what  he  must  say  respecting  its  con- 
tents. In  compliance  with  this  request,  he  began  to  read  the 
book,  and  found  himself  so  deeply  interested  in  its  contents, 
that  the  volume  was  not  laid  down  before  the  perusal  of  it  was 
completed.  The  night  was  spent  in  reading,  and  reflecting  upon 
the  important  truths  contained  in  this  valuable  and  impressive 
work.  In  the  course  of  his  employment,  the  soul  of  the  reader 
was  penetrated  to  its  inmost  recesses  ;  and  the  effect  pro- 
duced in  innumerable  instances,  by  the  book  of  God,  was  in  this 
case  accomplished  by  means  of  a  human  composition.  From 
that  period  his  mind  received  a  powerful  impulse,  and  was  no 
longer  able  to  rest  under  its  former  impressions.  A  change  wa? 
effected  in  his  views  of  divine  truth,  as  decided  as  it  was  influ- 
ential. He  was  no  longer  satisfied  with  the  creed  of  the  spe- 
culatist — he  felt  a  conviction  of  his  own  state  as  a  guilty  and 
condemned  sinner,  and  under  that  conviction,  he  sought  mercy 
at  the  cross  of  the  Saviour.  There  arose  in  his  mind  a  solemn 
consciousness  that,  however  outwardly  moral  and  apparently 
irreproachable  his  conduct  might  appear  to  men  :  yet  vnthin^ 
there  was  wanting  that  entire  surrender  of  the  heart,  that  ascen- 
dancy of  God  in  the  soul,  and  that  devotedness  of  life  and  con- 
duct, which  distinguishes  morality  from  holiness — an  assent  to 
divine  truth,  from  its  cordial  reception  into  the  heart ;  and  the 
external  profession  of  religion,  from  its  inward  and  transforming 
power.  The  impressions  awakened  were  therefore  followed  by 
a  transfer  of  his  time,  his  talents,  and  his  affections,  to  th-^  ser- 


22 


MEMOIRS  OF  THE 


Vice  of  his  God  and  Saviour,  and  to  the  spiritual  welfare  of  tfj(? 
flock  committed  to  his  care.  But  while  his  mind  was  undergo- 
ing this  inward  process,  it  is  necessary  to  state  how  laborious  he 
was  in  his  search  after  truth.  The  Bible  became  the  frequent 
and  earnest  subject  of  his  examination,  prayer,  and  meditation. 
His  object  was  fontes  haurire  sacros — to  explore  truth  at  its  foun- 
tain head,  or,  in  the  emphatic  language  of  Scripture,  to  "  draw 
water  out  of  the  wells  of  salvation." — Isa.  xii.  3.  From  the 
study  of  the  Bible,  he  proceeded  to  a  minute  examination  of  the 
writings^  of  the  Reformers,  which,  by  a  singular  coincidence, 
came  into  his  possession  shortly  after  this  period ;  and  having 
from  these  various  sources  acquired  increasing  certainty  as  to 
the  correctness  of  his  recent  convictions,  and  stability  in  hold- 
ing them,  he  found,  what  the  sincere  and  conscientious  inquirer 
will  always  find,  the  Truth ;  and  his  heart  being  interested,  he 
learnt  truth  through  the  heart,  and  believed  it,  because  he  felt  it. 

His  own  account  of  the  effect  produced  on  his  mind  by  the 
perusal  of  Mr.  "^Vilberforce's  book,  will  excite  the  interest  of  the 
reader.    Speaking  of  his  son  Wilberforce,  he  remarks  : — 

"  He  was  baptized  by  the  name  of  AVilberforce,  in  conse- 
quence of  my  personal  friendship  with  that  individual,  whose 
name  long  has  been,  and  ever  will  be,  allied  to  all  that  is  able, 
amiable,  and  truly  Christian.  That  gentleman  had  already  ac- 
cepted the  office  of  sponsor  to  one  of  my  daughters ;  but  the 
subsequent  birth  of  this  boy,  afforded  me  the  additional  satisfac- 
tion of  more  familiarly  associating  his  name  with  that  of  my  fa- 
mily. But  it  was  not  the  tie  of  ordinary  friendship,  nor  the  ve- 
neration which,  in  common  with  multitudes,  I  felt  for  the  name 
of  Wilberforce,  which  induced  me  to  give  that  name  to  my 
child:  there  had,  for  many  years  past,  subsisted  a  tie  between 
myself  and  that  much-loved  friend,  of  a  higher  and  more  sacred 
character  than  any  other  which  earth  can  afford.  I  feel  it  to  be 
a  debt  of  gratitude,  which  I  owe  to  God  and  to  man,  to  take 
this  affecting  opportunity  of  stating,  that  to  the  unsought  and 
unexpected  introduction  of  Mr.  Wilberforce's  book  on  *  Prac- 
tical Christianity,'  I  owe,  through  God's  mercy,  the  first  sacred 
impression  which  I  ever  received,  as  to  the  spiritual  nature  of 
the  Gospel  system,  the  vital  character  of  personal  religion,  the 
corruption  of  the  human  hgart,  and  the  way  of  salvation  by  Je- 
sus Christ.  As  a  young  minister,  recently  ordained,  and  just 
entrusted  with  the  charge  of  two  parishes  in  the  Isle  of  Wight, 
I  had  commenced  my  labours  too  much  in  the  spirit  of  the  world, 
and  founded  my  public  instructions  on  the  erroneous  notions 
which  prevailed  amongst  my  academical  and  literary  associate^^ 


REV.  LEGH  RICHMOND. 


23 


The  scriptural  principles  stated  in  the  '  Practical  View,'  con- 
vinced me  of  my  error  ;  led  me  to  the  study  of  the  Scriptures 
with  an  earnestness  to  which  I  had  hitherto  been  a  stranger  ; 
humbled  my  heart,  and  brought  me  to  seek  the  love  and  blessing 
of  that  Saviour,  who  alone  can  afford  a  peace  which  the  world 
cannot  give.  Through  the  study  of  this  book,  I  was  induced 
to  examine  the  writings  of  the  British  and  Foreign  Reformers. 
I  saw  the  coincidence  of  their  doctrines  with  those  of  the  Scrip- 
tures, and  those  which  the  word  of  God  taught  me  to  be  essen- 
tial to  the  welfare  of  myself  and  my  flock.  I  know  too  well 
what  has  passed  within  my  heart,  for  now  a  long  period  of  time, 
not  to  feel  and  to  confess,  that  to  this  incident  I  was  indebted, 
originally,  for  those  solid  views  of  Christianity,  on  which  I  rest 
my  hope  for  time  and  eternity.  May  I  not,  then,  call  the  ho- 
noured author  of  that  book  my  spiritual  father?  And  if  my  spi- 
ritual father,  therefore  my  best  earthly  friend?  The  wish  to 
connect  his  name  with  my  own,  was  natural  and  justifiable.  It 
was  a  lasting  memorial  of  the  most  important  transaction  of  my 
life  :  it  still  lives  amidst  the  tenderness  of  present  emotions,  as 
a  signal  of  endearment  and  gratitude  ;  and  I  trust  its  character 
is  imperishable." 

Though  Mr.  Richmond's  mind  and  heart  were  experiencing 
the  remarkable  change  that  has  been  recorded,  it  is  necessary  to 
state  that  the  regularity  and  decorum  with  which  he  was  pre- 
viously discharging  his  duties,  far  exceeded  those  of  many  other 
ministers.  If  then,  notwithstanding  these  exertions,  he  was 
still  conscious  how  much  he  fell  short  of  the  standard  of  minis- 
terial faithfulness  and  zeal,  and  the  requirements  of  personal 
holiness ;  may  we  not  ask,  what  ought  to  be  the  convictions  of 
those  who  evince  a  far  less  degree  of  earnestness,  where  the 
claims  are  precisely  the  same,  and  the  obhgations  to  fulfil  them 
are  equally  binding  ?  If  he  felt  the  need  within,  of  a  more  ope- 
rative principle  of  divine  grace,  as  the  only  genuine  source  of 
inw^ard  and  external  holiness  ;  what  must  be  their  state  who, 
with  greater  deficiencies,  experience  no  conflict  of  the  mind,  no 
secret  misgivings  of  the  conscience  ?  If,  in  his  ardent  inquiry 
after  truth,  he  meditated  over  the  sacred  page,  and  explored  the 
voluminous  writings  of  the  Reformers ;  what  is  their  responsi- 
bility who  rest  in  a  system,  without  an  endeavour  to  ascertain  its 
correctness  ;  who  give  to  the  world  the  hours  sacred  to  prayer 
and  study ;  or  who  appropriate  their  time  to  objects,  which,  how- 
ever praiseworthy  in  themselves,  are  not  sufliciently  identified 
with  their  profession,  nor  calculated  to  promote  their  advance- 
pient  in  grace  and  holiness? 


24. 


ME3I0IRS  OF  THE 


But  we  would  pursue  this  subject  farther,  and  demand,  if  con- 
version, or  a  change  of  heart  and  hfe,  be  necessary  in  all  men, 
because  all  naturally  partake  of  the  principle  of  inward  corrup- 
tion, how  much  more  is  it  necessary  to  him  who  officiates  in  holy 
things  ;  and  who,  by  the  titles  that  designate  his  character  and 
office,  is  supposed  to  contract  engagements  of  the  highest  and 
most  sacred  import  ? 

And  yet  the  very  nature  and  necessity  of  conversion  is  ques- 
tioned by  some,  in  opposition  to  the  most  express  declarations 
of  Holy  Writ  ;*  thus  proving  their  own  need,  at  least,  of  that 
conversion,  the  possibility  of  which  they  so  heedlessly  dispute. 
A  distinguished  and  excellent  prelate,  in  our  own  day,|  has 
merited  well  of  the  Christian  pubUc,  for  inviting  attention  to 
this  subject.  In  the  diocese  of  St.  David's,  a  prize  was  offered 
for  the  best  Essay  on  the  signs  of  conversion  and  unconversion 
in  ministers  of  the  Established  Church.  J 

This  was  at  once  recognizing  the  doctrine,  as  well  as  the 
necessity  of  conversion.  It  drew  the  Hne  of  demarcation 
between  true  piety,  and  that  which  bears  only  the  external  garb. 
It  admitted  the  conversion  of  some,  it  doubted  the  conversion 
of  all ;  and,  by  instituting  an  inquiry  into  the  signs  and  eviden- 
ces by  which  the  distinction  is  to  be  known,  it  held  out  a  beacon 
to  discriminate  the  true  and  faithful  pastor  from  the  bold  and 
unauthorised  intruder.  Let  it  be  remembered  too,  that  this 
doctrine  is  avowedly  maintained,  and  the  belief  and  experience 
of  its  truth  no  less  avowedly  professed,  by  every  candidate,  in 
the  form  and  ceremony  prescribed  by  our  own  church  for  ordi- 
nation— that  on  this  occasion  he  is  solemnly  asked,  whether  he 
trusts  that  he  is  inwardly  moved  by  the  Holy  Ghost,  to  take  upon 
himself  the  sacred  office  ?  To  which  he  deliberately  answers, 
"  I  trust  so."  And  that,  if  terms  be  significant  of  things,  and 
professions  mean  what  they  are  supposed  to  imply,  this  call  of 
the  Holy  Spirit  denotes  a  series  of  qualifications,  of  which  the 
real  conversion  of  the  heart  is  the  primary  and  most  indispensa- 
ble. It  is  on  the  authority  of  this  declaration,  and  the  supposed 
sincerity  of  its  avowal,  that  he  is  permitted  to  officiate  at  her 
altars,  and  that  the  dispensation  of  the  Gospel  is  committed  to 
his  hands  ;  and  therefore,  the  absence  of  this  qualilication  is  not 
merely  a  fraud,  and  an  act  of  perjury,  aggravated  by  the  solem- 
nity of  the  occasion,  and  by  the  bold  profanation  of  holy  things  ; 

*  See  Matt,  xviii.  3 ;  John  ill.  5  ;  Acts  iii.  19  ;  Eph.  iv.  24. 

t  The  present  Bishop  of  Salisbury,  formerly  Bishop  of  St.  David's. 

I  See  Wilks'  Prize  Essay  on  the  above  subject. 


BEV.  LEGH  RICHMOND. 


25 


but  a  crime  of  a  still  higher  magnitude.  Souls  are  betrayed, 
for  every  one  of  which  he  must  render  an  account  to  Him  who 
has  authoritatively  proclaimed,  "  their  blood  will  I  require  at 
thine  hand." 

Another  very  important  lesson  to  be  learnt  from  the  prece- 
ding narrative,  is  the  necessity  of  discriminating  morality  from 
leligion.  The  principal  error  in  Mr.  Richmond's  former  views 
consisted  in  this,  viz.  that  they  were  deficient  in  the  grand  cha- 
racteristic features  of  the  Gospel.  JNot  that  he  actually  denied 
a  single  doctrine  which  the  Gospel  inculcates  ;  but  his  concep' 
tions  were  far  from  being  definite,  clear,  and  comprehensive. 
They  wanted  the  elevation  and  spirituality  of  the  Christian  system. 
They  were  founded  more  on  the  standard  of  morality,  than  on 
the  principles  of  the  Gospel ;  and  therefore  were  defective  as  it 
respects  the  motive  and  end  of  all  human  actions,  the  two  essen- 
tial properties  that  constitute  an  action  acceptable  in  the  sight  of 
a  holy  God.  A  Heathen  may  be  moral,  a  Christian  must  be 
more  ;  for  though  true  religion  will  always  comprise  morality, 
yet  morality  may  exist  without  religion.  There  was  a  confusion 
also  in  his  notion  of  faith  and  works,  and  of  the  respective 
offices  and  design  of  the  law  and  of  the  Gospel.  The  Saviour 
was  not  sufficiently  exalted,  nor  the  sinner  humbled  ;  and  there 
was  wanting  the  baptism  of  "  the  Holy  Ghost  and  of  fire." — 
Matt.  iii.  11.  His  sermons,  partaking  of  the  same  character^ 
were  distinguished  indeed  by  solidity  of  remark,  force  of  expres- 
sion, strong  appeals  to  the  conscience,  and  a  real  and  commend* 
able  zeal  for  the  interests  of  morality  ;  but  they  went  no  fur- 
ther. As  regarded  the  great  end  of  the  Christian  ministry — the 
conversion  of  immortal  souls — they  were  powerless  ;  for  mora! 
sermons  can  produce  nothing  but  moral  effects ;  and  it  is  the 
Gospel  alone  that  is  "  mighty  through  God  to  the  jmlling  down 
of  the  strong  holds  of  sin ;  and  bringing  into  captivity  every 
thought  to  the  obedience  of  Christ." — 2  Cor.  x.  4,  5. 

There  was,  indeed,  an  external  reformation  produced  among 
his  people  ;  but  the  renovation  of  the  heart,  the  communion  of 
the  soul  with  God,  the  inward  joy  and  peace  of  the  Gospel,  an^l 
the  hope  full  of  life  and  of  immortality — these  were  not  expe^ 
yienced  and  felt,  because  they  were  not  known  :  and  they  were 
not  known,  because  they  were  not  preached  :  and  they  were  not 
preached,  because  they  were  not  adequately  understood  by  the 
preacher.  And  is  there  no  ground  for  apprehension  that  the 
same  deficiency  still  exists  amongst  us  to  a  considerable  extent'? 
Are  the  peculiar  doctrines  of  Christianity  commonly  brought 
•forward  with  sufTicicfit  clearness,  fidclitv,  and  zeal  I    Are  th^ 

3* 


26 


MEMOIRS  OF  THE 


corruption  and  lost  state  of  man,  the  mercy  of  God  in  Christ, 
the  necessity  of  a  living  faith  in  the  Saviour,  the  office  of  the 
Holy  Spirit  in  his  enlightening,  converting,  and  sanctifying  influ- 
ences*— are  these  grand  themes  of  the  Christian  ministry  urged 
with  the  prominence  that  their  incalculable  importance  demands  ? 
Deficiencies  in  points  like  these  are  serious  impediments  to  the 
growth  of  true  religion,  and  cannot  be  too  sedulously  reproved 
by  those  who  are  the  constituted  guardians  of  sound  doctrine. 
For  with  the  mere  moralist,  the  grandeur  of  the  Christian  dis- 
pensation— the  divine  love  so  conspicuous  in  the  whole  of  its 
stupendous  plan — the  beauty,  order,  and  symmetry  of  its  seve- 
ral parts,  are  all  reduced  to  the  rank  and  level  of  a  secondary  and 
subordinate  scheme.  Christ  is  not  the  centre  of  the  system, 
but  rather  occupies  the  extreme  point ;  and  is  brought  in  as  a 
last  expedient  to  cover  the  nakedness  and  insufficiency  of  our  own 
works.  The  moralist,  according  to  his  own  creed,  does  all  that 
he  can,  and  then — looks  to  his  Redeemer  to  perform  the  rest. 
On  the  other  hand,  where  the  moralist  ends,  the  believer  begins. 
With  him,  every  work  is  begun,  continued,  and  ended  in  God. 
He  draws  from  above  every  motive  for  his  obedience,  every 
promise  for  his  encouragement,  and  strength  to  subdue  all  his 
corruptions.  Christ  is  the  sun  that  illuminates  his  moral  hori- 
zon, the  living  water  to  refresh  his  thirst,  the  heavenly  manna 
by  which  he  is  fed,  the  first  and  the  last,  the  beginning  and  the 
end,  the  Alpha  and  Omega,  the  "  all  and  in  all." — Col.  iii.  11. 
He  is  the  Prophet,  by  whose  wisdom  he  is  taught ;  the  Priest, 
by  whose  sacrifice  he  is  pardoned  ;  the  King,  by  whose  autho- 
rity he  is  swayed  ;  and  the  Shepherd,  on  whose  tender  care  he 
reposes  all  his  wants.  What  then  is  the  remedy  for  the  defects 
to  which  we  have  alluded,  and  for  the  fatal  consequences  result- 
ing from  them? — The  knowledge  of  the  Gospel ;  and  the  full, 
free,  and  faithful  declaration  of  its  truths.  There  must  be  its 
tidings  on  the  hps,  its  grace  in  the  heart,  and  its  holiness  in  the 
life  of  the  preacher.  Such  was  the  case  in  the  instance  of  Mr. 
Richmond,  after  the  change  above  recorded ;  and  crowded 
auditories,  an  inquiring  people,  and  numerous  conversions  were 
the  happy  result.  And  such  will  ever  be  the  case  where  the 
Gospel  is  faithfully  preached.  The  same  causes  will  always 
produce  the  same  effects.  The  blind  will  receive  their  sight, 
and  the  lame  walk,  and  the  deaf  hear,  and  the  spiritually  dead  be 
raised  up  to  hfe  eternal. 

♦  See  Dr.  Owen's  celebrated  Work  "  On  the  Holy  Spirit,"  and  Doddridge's 
"  Seven  Sermons  on  Regeneration,"  for -an  able  elucidation  of  this  subject. 


REV.  LEGH  RICHMOND, 


27 


CHAPTER  IV. 

Developement  of  his  character  Dedication  of  his  time  and 

thoughts  to  profitable  objects — Fondness  of  the  scenes  of  JVa- 
lure — Spiritual  reflections  upon  them — Zeal  in  his  ministerial 
duties — Letters  and  Diary — Remarks  on  the  foregoing. 

In  the  preceding  chapter,  we  have  recorded  the  remarkable 
change  of  which  Mr.  Richmond  was  the  subject,  and  explained 
its  nature  and  character.  We  shall  now  proceed  to  illustrate 
it  by  its  effects,  which  form  the  best  evidence  of  its  existence, 
and  one  of  the  strongest  arguments  for  its  necessity.  With 
this  view,  we  shall  consider  its  operation  and  influence  on  the 
qualities  of  his  mind  and  heart — his  ministerial  habits — his 
epistolary  correspondence — and  in  the  more  solemn  and  impres- 
sive exposure  of  the  inward  recesses  of  his  soul. 

In  our  intercourse  with  men,  we  meet  with  an  almost  endless 
diversity  of  character;  and  he  who  studies  human  nature  is 
apt  to  classify  those  who  are  the  subject  of  his  contemplation, 
according  to  their  respective  shades  and  gradations.  But  how 
painful  is  the  discovery,  when  we  see  persons  endowed  with  the 
fmer  qualifications  of  the  mind,  and  the  interesting  sensibilities 
of  the  heart,  wasting  on  unprofitable  objects  the  powers  which, 
rightly  directed,  might  render  their  possessor  the  instrument  of 
extensive  usefulness  and  good.  We  seem  to  behold  a  beautiful 
and  imposing  structure,  but  it  is  not  occupied  by  the  rightful 
ovmer.  The  lord  of  the  mansion  is  absent,  and  a  stranger  has 
usurped  his  place.  We  turn  with  disappointment  from  the  con- 
templation ;  nor  can  we  withhold  the  prayer  that  ere  long  the 
fatal  illusion  may  cease,  and  the  chain  of  the  captive  be  broken. 

In  Mr.  Richmond,  every  qualification  became  consecrated  to 
religion.  His  imagination,  taste,  affections,  and  endowments 
received  an  impulse  which  directed  all  their  energies  to  the  glory 
of  God,  and  to  useful  and  profitable  purposes. 

To  illustrate  what  we  have  said,  we  subjoin  the  following  pas- 
sage from  one  of  his  popular  tracts,  which,  while  it  shews  his 
powers  for  descriptive  scenery,  proves  at  the  same  time  how 
much  his  admiration  of  the  scenes  of  nature  was  made  the  oc- 
casion of  elevating  the  heart  to  God. 

"  It  was  not  unfrequently  my  custom,  when  my  mind  was 
filled  with  any  interesting  subject  for  meditation,  to  seek  some 


28 


MEMOIRS  OP  THE 


spot  where  the  beauties  of  natural  prospect  might  help  to  form 
pleasing  and  useful  associations. 

"  South-eastward,  I  saw  the  open  ocean,  bounded  only  by  the 
horizon.  The  sun  shone,  and  gilded  the  waves  with  a  glittering 
light,  that  sparkled  in  the  most  brilliant  manner.  ...  On 
the  north,  the  sea  appeared  like  a  noble  river,  varying  from  three 
to  seven  miles  in  breadth,  between  the  banks  of  the  opposite 
coast,  and  those  of  the  island  which  I  inhabited.*  Immedi- 
ately underneath  me,  was  a  fine  woody  district  of  country,  di- 
versified by  many  pleasing  objects.  Distant  towns  were  visible 
on  the  opposite  shore.  Numbers  of  ships  occupied  the  sheltered 
station  which  this  northern  channel  afforded  them.  The  eye 
roamed  with  deHght  over  an  expanse  of  near  and  remote  beau- 
ties, which  alternately  caught  the  observation,  and  which  har- 
monised together,  and  produced  a  scene  of  peculiar  interest." 

The  reflections  awakened  by  these  scenes  are  thus  express- 
ed 

"  How  much  of  the  natural  beauties  of  Paradise  still  remain 
in  the  world,  although  its  spiritual  character  has  been  so  awfully 
defaced  by  sin !  But  when  divine  grace  renews  the  heart  of 
.the  fallen  sinner.  Paradise  is  regained,  and  much  of  its  beauty 
restored  to  the  soul.  As  this  prospect  is  compounded  of  hill 
and  dale,  land  and  sea,  woods  and  plains,  all  sweetly  blended 
together,  and  relieving  each  other  in  the  landscape  :  so  do  the 
gracious  dispositions,  wrought  in  the  soul,  produce  a  beauty  and 
harmony  of  scene,  to  which  it  was  before  a  stranger." 

We  insert  one  more  brief  reflection. 

"  What  do  they  not  lose,  who  are  strangers  to  serious  medita- 
tion on  the  wonders  and  beauties  of  created  nature  !  HoW 
gloriously  the  God  of  creation  shines  in  his  works  !  Not  a  tree, 
nor  leaf,  nor  flower ;  not  a  bird,  nor  insect,  but  it  proclaims  iik 
glowing  language,  '  God  made  me.'  " 

In  his  parochial  engagements,  we  find  him  fulfilling  all  thfe 
<luties  of  an  active  and  zealous  parish  priest.  The  important 
and  essential  doctrines  of  the  Gospel  were  now  made  the  power- 
ful and  affecting  themes  of  his  public  addresses.  As  we  shall 
have  occasion  hereafter  to  enter  into  a  more  minute  detail  of  the 
subject  and  manner  of  his  preaching,  it  is  sufficient  in  this  placid 
to  observe,  that  man's  fallen  and  ruined  state,  and  his  deliver- 
ance and  redemption  by  Jesus  Christ,  formed  the  grand  outline 
jof  his  discourses  ;  and  if  the  degree  in  which  the  truth  is  preach^ 
ed  be  best  estimated  by  its  effects,  he  could  appeal  to  unqu^s- 


*  The  Isle  of  Wigfit. 


REV.  LEGH  RICHMOND. 


29 


lionable  evidences  of  his  faithfulness  ;  for  God  blessed  his  tes- 
timony, and  numerous  converts  were  the  seals  of  his  ministry. 
In  addition  to  the  usual  and  appointed  duties  of  the  Sabbath, 
he  visited  his  flock,  and  went  from  house  to  hou^e,  taking  care 
not  to  make  these  opportunities  the  mere  occasion  of  friendly 
and  condescending  intercourse,  but  the  means  of  real  improve- 
ment, and  spiritual  edification.  The  children  of  Brading  were 
also  the  objects  of  his  tender  solicitude.  They  were  in  the 
habit  of  repairing  to  him  every  Saturday  for  the  purpose  of 
religious  instruction  ;  and  his  memoir  of  "  Little  .Jane"  records 
one  of  the  happy  results  of  these  youthful  meetings. 

Within  the  parish  of  Brading  was  situated  the  hamlet  of  Bem- 
bridge,  at  the  distance  of  about  two  miles.  To  this  place  Mr. 
Richmond  went  once  in  every  week  to  expound  the  Scriptures, 
and  to  meet  those  who,  through  age  and  infirmity  or  other  causes, 
were  unable  to  attend  the  parish  church.  A  chapel  of  ease  has 
since  been  erected,  and  consecrated  in  the  summer  of  1827. 
He  had  likewise  the  care  of  the  parish  of  Yaverland  ;  and  as 
the  scenes  of  his  early  piety  and  zeal  cannot  bur  be  interesting 
to  his  numerous  friends,  and  the  following  description  presents 
them  vividly  to  the  imagination,  we  insert  it  in  his  own  words  : — 

"  I  had  the  spiritual  charge  of  another  parish,  adjoining  to 
that  in  which  I  resided.  It  was  a  small  district,  and  had  but 
few  inhabitants.  The  church  was  pleasantly  situated  on  a  rising 
bank,  at  the  foot  of  a  considerable  hill.  It  was  surrounded  by 
trees,  and  had  a  rural,  retired  appearance.  Close  to  the  church- 
yard stood  a  large  old  mansion,  which  had  formerly  been  the 
residence  of  an  opulent  and  titled  family  ;  but  it  had  long  since 
been  appropriated  to  the  use  of  the  estate,  as  a  farm  house. 
Its  outward  aspect  bore  considerable  remains  of  ancient  gran- 
deur, and  gave  a  pleasing  character  to  the  spot  of  ground  on 
which  the  church  stood.  In  every  direction  the  roads  that  led 
to  this  house  of  God  possessed  distinct  but  interesting  features. 
One  of  them  ascended  between  several  rural  cottages  from  the 
sea  shore,  which  adjoined  the  lower  part  of  the  village  street. 
Another  winded  round  the  curved  sides  of  an  adjacent  hill,  and 
was  adorned,  both  above  and  below,  with  numerous  sheep,  feed- 
ing on  the  herbage  of  the  down.  A  third  road  led  to  the  church 
by  a  gently-rising  approach,  between  high  banks,  covered  with 
young  trees,  bushes,  ivy,  hedge-plants,  and  wild  flowers. 

"  From  a  point  of  land  which  commanded  a  view  of  all  these 
several  avenues,  I  used  sometimes  for  a  while  to  watch  my  con- 
gregation gradually  assembling  together  at  the  hour  of  Sabbath 
worship.    They  were  in  some  directions  visible  for  a  considora- 


30 


MEMOIRS  OF  THE 


ble  distance.  Gratifying  associations  of  thought  would  form  iil 
my  mind,  as  I  contemplated  their  approach  and  successive  arri- 
val within  the  precincts  of  the  house  of  prayer." 

His  reflections  on  this  occasion  are  thus  interestingly  ex- 
pressed : — 

"  How  many  immortal  souls  are  now  gathering  together  to 
perform  the  all-important  work  of  prayer  and  praise — to  hear 
the  word  of  God — to  feed  upon  the  bread  of  life !  They  are 
leaving  their  respective  dwellings,  and  will  be  soon  united  to- 
gether in  the  house  of  prayer.  How  beautifully  does  this  re- 
present the  effect  produced  by  the  voice  of '  the  good  Shepherd,* 
calling  his  sheep  from  every  part  of  the  wilderness  into  his  fold  I 
As  these  fields,  hills,  and  lanes  are  now  covered  with  men,  wo- 
men, and  children,  in  various  directions,  drawing  nearer  to  each 
other,  and  to  the  object  of  their  journey^s  end  ;  even  so,  '  many 
shall  come  from  the  east  and  from  the  west,  and  from  the  north 
and  from  the  south,  and  shall  sit  down  in  the  kingdom  of  God.'  " 

In  the  year  1801,  he  formed  a  society  at  'trading,  which  pro- 
ved an  occasion  of  much  benefit ;  the  rules  and  regulations 
being  peculiarly  calculated  to  promote  order,  sobriety  and  reli- 
gion. Tnis  society  met  every  Wednesday  evening,  and  he 
himself  assumed  the  office  of  director.*  The  members  of 
whom  it  was  composed  were  such  as  had  derived  advantage 
from  his  ministry,  and  were  sincerely  desirous  of  advancing  ia 
knowledge  and  true  holiness.  A  copy  of  the  first  address  deli- 
vered to  them,  has  been  found  among  his  papers,  from  which 
%ve  extract  the  concluding  passage  : — 

In  a  word,  my  dear  friends,  I  consider  you  all  as  deeply  sensi- 
ble that  the  care  of  the  soul  is  the  one  thing  needful,  which  if 
you  neglect  you  will  perish ;  but  which,  if  you  regard  with  a 
humble,  devout,  and  sincere  heart,  God  will  receive  and  ac- 
knowledge you  among  the  number  of  his  children.  I  hope  more 
will  join  themselves  to  our  society,  who  are  in  this  mind  and 

*  The  following  regulation  will  afford  a  general  idea  of  the  character  and 
object  of  this  society  : 

"  The  society  will  meet  every  Wednesday  evening,  when  the  director  will 
attend,  for  the  purpose  of  explaining  the  holy  Scriptures,  the  Liturgy  of  the 
Church  of  England,  and  other  such  godly  books  as  he  may  think  useful  and 
profitable  for  the  instruction  and  edification  of  the  members  ;  giving  them  such 
friendly  and  Christian  exhortation  and  counsel  as  each  or  all  of  them  may 
require  ;  answering  any  questions  which  they  may  wish  to  propose,  respecting 
the  meaning  and  design  of  the  word  of  God,  and  their  own  conduct  and  reli- 
gious progress  in  general ;  and  joining  in  prayer  with  them  to  Almighty  God  for 
a  blessing  upon  themselves,  their  families,  their  neighbours,  and  their  country, 
and  the  whole  Church  of  God,  whererer  dispersed  in  the  world." 


REV.  LEGII  RICHMOND. 


SI 


persuasion.  It  shall  be  my  care  to  do  all  in  my  power  to  cherish 
and  support  you  in  all  virtue  and  godliness  of  living ;  to  com- 
fort you  in  affliction,  to  clear  up  your  doubts,  to  reprove  your 
faults,  encourage  your  good  resolutions,  and  to  be,  by  God's 
help,  a  spiritual  pastor  among  you,  to  lead  you  through  the 
pilgrimage  of  this  hfe,  to  the  enjoyment  of  the  glories  of  Pa- 
radise. 

"  Ml  that  I  now  ask,  and  beseech  of  you  is,  that  you  will  be 
m  earnest  in  your  present  professions,  and  strive  with  heart  and 
soul  to  persevere  in  that  good  road,  wherein  1  trust  you  now  are 
going.  And  remember  how  sad  will  be  the  lot  of  those  who, 
having  put  their  hand  to  the  plough,  look  back  again,  and  are 
no  longer  fit  for  the  kingdom  of  heaven.  Be  strong  then  in  the 
Lord,  and  may  his  grace  preserve  you  in  your  good  resolutions, 
and  bring  you  to  the  full  knowledge  of  the  excellency  of  Jesu? 
Christ,  and  give  you  the  greatest  of  all  blessings,  forgiveness  of 
sins  in  this  world,  and  hfe  everlasting  in  the  world  to  come. 
Ever  be  it,  blessed  Lord,  now  and  evermore." 

To  the  soldiers  that  were  occasionally  quartered  in  that  part 
of  the  country,  he  was  made  highly  useful  by  his  preaching. 
The  history  of  one  of  these  men  is  remarkable.  It  is  related  at 
length  in  the  Christian  Observer,"  for  the  year  1802  (p.  772.) 
Being  too  long  for  insertion  here,  the  substance  of  it  is  inserted 
as  follows  : — 

"  A  young  soldier  introduced  himself  to  Mr.  Richmond,  in 
company  with  one  of  his  comrades,  begging  to  know  if  he 
would  kindly  purchase  from  him  a  few  clergyman's  bands,  and 
some  manuscript  sermons.  Being  asked  by  what  means  they 
came  into  his  possession,  he  stated,  with  much  embarrassment, 
that  his  history  was  wholly  unknown  to  his  companions  in  arms-^ 
but  that  being  thus  urged,  he  would  recount  the  painful  circum- 
stances of  his  past  life.  He  proceeded  to  declare  that  he  was 
the  son  of  a  clergyman  in  Wales — that  he  had  been  regularly 
(wdained,  and  officiated  during  three  years  on  a  curacy  in  the 
county  of  W  ;  that  disorderly  habits,  and  debts,  incur- 
red without  the  possibility  of  discharging  them,  had  brought  him 
at  length  to  ruin  and  disgrace :  and  that,  to  avoid  imprisonment, 
lie  had  been  induced  to  enlist  as  a  common  soldier — that  he  had 
served  in  the  last  campaign  in  Holland,  and  was  then  about  to 
proceed  with  the  army,  in  the  expedition  to  Alexandria,  under 
Sir  James  Abercrombie.  He  added,  that  it  was  to  furnish  him- 
self with  a  ^ew  necessaries,  that  he  was  led  to  offer  the  articles 
in  question  for  sale.  Mr.  Richmond  having  ascertained  as  far 
a.?  possible,  the  correctness  of  his  story,  purchased  them  :  ahd 


32 


MEMOIRS  OF  THE 


afterwards  held  a  very  long  conversation  with  him,  on  the  awful 
consequences  of  his  past  Ufe,  and  his  unfaithfulness  to  the 
solemn  and  sacred  engagement  he  had  formerly  contracted. 
The  soldier  seemed  to  be  more  abashed  by  the  disclosure  of  his 
history,  than  impressed  with  the  consciousness  of  his  guilt,  and  the 
admonitions  that  he  received.  In  June,  1802,  the  comrade  who 
had  originally  <iccompanied  him,  once  more  called  on  Mr.  Rich- 
mond, and  stated  that  he  was  just  returned  from  Egypt,  and  that 
the  young  man,  in  whose  welfare  he  had  taken  so  lively  an  inte- 
rest, had  fallen  in  battle,  and  died  a  true  penitent — that  on  the 
evening  preceding  the  engagement  of  the  21st  March,  he  had 
been  seized  with  a  presentiment  that  he  siiould  not  survive  the 
event  of  the  following  day ;  and  had  commissioned  him,  (the 
bearer,)  should  he  be  spared  to  return,  to  inform  Mr.  Richmond, 
that  the  counsel  he  had  so  faithfully  given  to  him,  though  it  had 
failed  at  the  time  to  impress  him  as  it  ought  to  have  done,  had 
ultimately  sunk  deep  into  his  conscience,  and  produced  all  the 
effects  that  he  could  have  wished  ;  '  tell  our  dear  pastor,'  con- 
tinued he,  '  that  I  owe  him  more  than  worlds  can  repay  ;  he  first 
opened  my  heart  to  conviction,  and  God  has  blessed  it  to  repent- 
ance.  Through  the  unspeakable  mercies  of  Christ,  I  can  die 
with  comfort.'    The  event  that  he  had  prognosticated  was 

fulfilled;  and  it  was  discovered  that  poor  Mr.  E   lost 

his  life  by  a  cannon  ball,  at  an  early  period  in  the  action." 

It  was  in  the  Isle  of  Wight  that  the  scene  is  laid  of  those 
popular  tracts,  composed  by  Mr.  Richmond,  the  reputation  of 
which  is  now  so  widely  diffused  in  all  parts  of  the  world. 

His  "Dairyman's  Daughter"  resided  at  Arreton,  a  village  six 
miles  distant  from  Brading,  where  he  was  in  the  habit  of  occa- 
sionally visiting  her,  by  particular  request,  during  her  last  fll- 
ness.  Her  name  was  Wallbridge  ;  and  who  that  has  read  her 
history,  can  repress  the  emotions  that  such  unaffected  piety  and 
sanctified  affliction  are  calculated  to  awaken  ? 

His  "  Negro  Servant"  lived  in  the  family  of  an  officer  in  the 
neighbourhood.  His  "  Young  Cottager"  was  one  of  his  Sun- 
day-school children,  at  Brading,  and  the  first  fruits  of  his  mi- 
nistry in  that  parish.  A.s  we  shall  have  occasion  to  allude  to 
these  publications  in  another  part  of  the  memoir,  we  shall  re- 
strict ourselves  to  this  brief  allusion  to  incidents  in  the  relation 
of  which  the  author  has  excited  so  much  interest ;  and  where 
the  charms  of  style  and  beautiful  representations  of  nature  are 
blended  with  the  faithful  naricative  of  facts,  and  the  whole  made 
subservient  to  the  advancement  of  the  cause  of  scriptural  truth. 

Having  described  him  thus  engaged  in  his  ministerial  duties, 


REV.  LEGH  RICHMOND. 


33 


shall  introduce  a  letter  addressed  to  his  friend,  the  Rev.  Mr. 
T  ,  expressive  of  his  views  and  sentiments,  within  the  pe- 
riod just  mentioned. 

"  My  reading  in  divinity  has  been  considerable  since  we  last 
parted.  The  more  1  attend  to  the  sacred  writings,  and  to  the 
sentiments  of  the  most  pious  and  unprejudiced  authors,  the 
more  deeply  sensible  do  I  feel  of  the  unspeakable  importance 
of  religious  attainments,  both  in  knowledge,  faith,  and  practice. 
I  am,  at  the  same  time,  unavoidably  led  to  see  how  very,  very 
deficiently  the  Christian  scheme  is  apprehended  by  the  great 
body  of  the  laity,  and  preached  in  many  of  our  pulpits.  The 
force  of  that  admirable  charge  of  Bishop  Horsley,  1791,  is 
strongly  impressed  upon  my  mind,  and  fully  confirms  these  sen- 
timents,* which  a  diligent  perusal  of  the  Bible,  of  the  primitive 
Fathers,  and  of  the  Reformers,  had  previously  excited. 

"  It  is  curious  to  see  with  what  undisguised  simplicity  and 
plainness,  many  of  the  doctrines  which  are  now  reprobated  as 
enthusiastical,  methodistical,  and  puritanical,  are,  in  one  and  all 
these  old  writers,  asserted  and  maintained.  The  plain  literal 
sense  of  our  Church  Articles,  are  by  them  made  the  fowfydation 
of  every  discourse,  and  of  every  scriptural  exposition  ;  and  the 
practical  faith  in  the  Holy  Trinity,  is  the  first,  the  midd^,  and 
the  last  end,  object,  and  aim  of  all  they  said,  all  they  wrotife,  and 
all  they  thought.  It  may  be  answered,  that  modern  divines  ad- 
mit the  truth  of  these  things  also ;  but  if  they  do,  they  pxplain 
the  doctrines  almost  entirely  away,  and  what  is  principally  to  be 
lamented,  they  do  not  make  them  the  ground  of  their  sermons. 
It  is  nevertheless,  a  very  gratifying  circumstance  that  so  many 
clergymen  and  laymen  have  of  late  adopted  an  opposite  way  of 
preaching  and  thinking.  As  my  valuable  friend  and  correspond- 
ent Mr.    says  in  a  late  letter  to  me — '  however  thinly, 

comparatively  speaking,  they  are  sprinkled  over  the  bosom  of 
the  Church,  yet  I  trust  that  the  maintainers  of  the  good  old 
principles  of  the  Reformation  are  daily  gaining  ground  ;  and 
that  at  this  time  sound  doctrine  is  oftener  preached  in  many  of 
our  parish  Churches,  than  has  been  the  case  since  the  days  of 
Archbishop  Laud.'" 

In  the  year  1801,  he  was  invited  to  preach  the  annual  Ser- 
mon, in  the  Abbey  Church  at  Bath,  on  the  subject  of  cruelty  to 
the  brute  creation,  in  conformity  with  the  will  of  the  Rev.  Henry 

*  Bishop  Horsley  had  asserted,  in  tlie  above  charge,  that  there  was  a  grievous 
departure,  at  that  period,  from  the  sound  doctrines  of  the  Reformation.  See 
also  a  similar  charge,  published  about  the  same  time,  by  the  Bishop  of  Dur- 
ham. 

4 


34 


MEMOIRS  OF  THE 


Brindley.  It  is  to  this  circumstance  that  the  following  letter 
alludes. 

"^Brading,  March  26,  1801. 

"  My  dearest  Mother, — It  gives  me  real  and  unspeaka- 
ble gratification  that  any  thing  you  observe  in  me  should 
give  you  the  pleasure  you  describe  ;  yet  I  fear  you  over- 
rate me.  Daily  do  I  become  more  and  more  sensible  of 
my  own  deficiences  ;  and  when  I  hear  myself  praised,  my 
failings  and  corruptions  seem  to  be  magnified  in  the  mir- 
ror of  conscience  and  conviction.  I  do  feel  an  earnest  and 
solemn  wish  to  be  a  real  Christian  minister  of  the  gospel 
of  Christ;  but  it  is  indeed  a  character  too  exalted  for  my 
expectations  of  attaining,  and  unutterable  is  the  responsibility 
attached  to  it.  To  be  a  Christian  at  all,  in  the  scriptural  sense, 
is  a  business  of  unwearied  attention,  watchfulness,  and  labour ; 
but  to  be  a  teacher,  an  example,  a  shepherd  t<»  the  flock,  requires 
tenfold  circumspection.  May  God  make  me  what  he  wishes,  in 
order  to  form  that  character;  and  may  no  self-sufficiency,  care- 
lessness or  presumption,  ever  lead  me  to  false  security,  neglect  of 
duty,  or  inactivity — to  all  of  which  we  are  so  prone  by  nature. 
In  exact  proportion  as  we  struggle  to  rise  above  our  natural  pro- 
pensities. General  Satan  (as  good  Doctor  Harrington  calls 
him)  endeavours  not  only  to  stop  our  progress,  but  to  turn  our 
very  improvement  into  danger,  and  a  snare,  by  exciting  pride 
and  self-satisfaction  at  what  we  have  been  enabled  to  do.  I 
have  no  objection  to  hearing  that  my  preaching  excited  attention 
at  Bath  (though  I  ought  to  avoid  every  thing  Hkely  to  awaken 
vanity,)  because  I  am  convinced  that  it  is  not  so  much  from 
any  thing  in  me,  individually  speaking,  as  in  the  scriptural  truths 
which,  by  God's  grace,  I  invariably  endeavour  to  advance  and 
expound,  that  approbation  was  manifested.  I  claim  no  praise, 
but  that  of  being  in  earnest ;  and  when  I  open  the  counsel  of 
God  to  a  congregation,  I  hope  I  feel  anxious  for  the  welfare  of 
my  hearers,  and  really  desirous  that  they  should,  for  their  own 
sakes,  '  mark,  learn,  hear,  and  inwardly  digest,  the  Holy  Scrip- 
tures,' when  explained  according  to  the  principles  of  sound  or- 
thodoxy, and  evangehcal  truth.  And,  thus  considering  sound 
truth  as  the  matter,  and  pastoral  anxiety  as  the  manner  of  my 
preaching,  I  hope  to  steer  clear  of  any  personal  vanity,  or  silly 
presumption,  in  the  arts  of  human  eloquence,  either  written  or 
oratorical.  I  have  no  wish  to  be  a  popular  preacher  in  any 
sense  but  one,  viz.,  as  a  preacher  to  the  hearts  of  the  'people. 


REV.  LEGH  RICHMOND. 


35 


«  What  you  tell  me  respecting  my  father's  inability  to  do 
more  for  me  than  he  does,  I  firmly  believe  ;  and  can  conscien- 
tiously assure  you,  that  I  am  too  grateful  for  what  is  done,  to 
complain  that  more  is  not  done.  I  cannot  sufficiently  express 
my  sensations  of  thankfulness  for  the  uninterrupted  kindness 
which  I  have  ever  received  from  you  both.  I  wish  your  latter 
years  may  receive  every  consolation  from  my  conduct,  which 
duty  and  affection  can  afford  you.  God  forbid  I  should  ever 
stnke  out  of  my  system  of  divinity  that  nearly  central  part  of 
the  decalogue,  '"honour  thy  father  and  mother.'  I  look  forward 
with  £[reat  pleasure  to  your  promised  visit,  which  I  must,  and 
hereby  do,  bespeak  to  be  a  long  one.  I  will  do  every  thing  to 
make  you  comfortable  ;  and  have  a  snug  room  and  bed  quite 
ready  for  you,  and  a  son's  welcome. 

To  Mrs,  Richmond,  Bennet  Street,  Bath.''' 

His  sermon,  on  the  above  occasion,  was  published  at  the  re- 
quest of  the  congregation,  which  circumstance  will  explain  the 
letter  that  follows. 

"  Brading,  March  22, 1802. 
"  My  dearest  Mother, — The  vanity  of  authorship  is  pro- 
verbial, and  yet  I  would  fain  hope  that  if  I  am  vain,  it  is  not  a 
vanity  of  vanities,  but  a  reasonable  rejoicing  <»n  Christian 
grounds.  As  I  think  you  will  feel  an  interest  in  the  subject,  I 
will  detail  a  correspondence,  which  has  taken  place  between 
your  son  and  Sir  Richard  Hill,  since  the  publication  of  the  ser- 
mon on  cruelty  to  animals." 

Copy  of  a  letter  to  Sir  Richard  Hill,  Bart.  : — 

"  Eroding,  March  13, 1802. 
Sir, — Although  an  entire  stranger  to  your  person,  yet  I  am 
not  to  your  character.  '  I  therefore  take  the  liberty  without  fur- 
ther apology,  of  enclosing  you  a  tract,  which  I  have  lately  been 
requested  to  publish,  on  a  subject  which,  from  the  laudable  part 
you  took  in  the  debate  on  the  Bull-baiting  Bill,  three  w'inters 
ago,  I  believe  you  to  have  sincerely  at  heart.  Your  known  be- 
nevolence of  disposition,  regard  for  the  instruction  of  the  poor, 
and  earnest  zeal  in  the  cause  of  religion,  preclude  my  apolo- 
gizing for  sending  you  a  copy  on  so  coarse  a  paper,  not  having 
one  of  the  finer  ones  in  the  house.  Believe  me,  with  great  re- 
^:pect  and  esteem,  your  very  obedient  servant, 

^'Ju  Richmond." 


36  MDMOIRS  OF  THE  • 

Sir  Richard  Hill,  in  reply,  to  the  Rev.  L.  Richmond  :— 

"March  18,  1802. 

"  Rev.  and  dear  Sir, — It  would  not  be  easy  for  me  to  express 
the  pleasure  I  have  received  from  the  perusal  of  your  most  ex- 
cellent discourse  on  Gen.  i.  26.  The  evangelical,  as  well  as 
the  judicious  and  striking  manner  in  which  you  have  handled 
the  subject,  most  forcibly  recommend  it  to  every  friend  of  true 
religion  and  good  order  ;  and  the  practical  part,  being  all  along 
enforced  on  Gospel  principles,  will,  I  doubt  not,  make  its  way 
and  prevail,  where  the  most  earnest  exhortations,  from  lower 
motives,  would  be  ineffectual.  1  shall  very  soon  furnish  myself 
with  a  number  of  copies,  printed  on  each  sort  of  paper.  For 
the  coarseness  of  yours  no  apology  was  needful ;  a  large  sum 
of  money  is  not  less  acceptable  or  useful,  whether  conveyed  in 
a  silken  or  worsted  purse.  I  am  happy  to  inform  you  that  the 
bill  to  prevent  the  savage  practice  of  bull-baiting,  will  be 
brought  forward  again  in  the  course  of  a  few  days,  and  I  hope 
there  is  no  doubt  of  its  success  : — the  last  bill  was  lost,  merely 
by  its  friends  fancying  themselves  so  secure,  that  they  did  not 
attend  to  its  progress  through  the  House.  I  will  enclose  in  two 
covers  my  published  letter  to  Mr.  Windham,  on  his  opposition 
to  the  bill  to  prevent  bull-baiting,  as  it  is  probable  you  may  not 
have  seen  it ;  and  subscribe  myself,  with  great  truth, — Rev. 
and  dear  Sir,  your  most  faithful  servant, 

"  Richard  Hill." 

We  insert  a  short  extract  of  a  letter  addressed  to  the  Rev. 
Mr.  T.    It  is  dated  Bath,  March  1801. 

"  I  wish  I  could  give  you  any  adequate  idea  of  the  exalted 
pleasure  I  have  found  from  being  introduced  into  a  circle  of 
religious,  accompbshed,  and  rational  people  here,  with  Mrs.  H. 
M.  at  their  head.  I  think  I  have  received  more  solid  practicaJ 
knowledge  and  advantage  from  the  conversations  I  have  almost 
daily  had  with  different  individuals  of  this  respectable  party, 
than  from  any  intercourse  I  ever  enjoyed  in  my  life.  I  have 
had  the  satisfaction  of  drawing  very  extensive  attention  in  the 
pulpit  to  what  I  trust  are  statements  of  sound  doctrine.  The 
acceptance  they  have  met  with,'  also  proves  what  may  be  done 
where  the  pure  truth  is  preached  without  disguise,  without 
quaintness,  without  affectation,  and  without  fear." 

*  ***** 

The  following  letter  was  written  about  the  same  time,  to  his 
sister,  on  her  marriage  : — 


REV.  LEGH  RICHMOND. 


37 


Forgive  me,  my  beloved  sister,  if  I  express  myself  with 
more  than  customary  anxiety,  in  now  writing  to  you  ;  related  as 
I  am  by  the  nearest' ties  of  kindred,  and  by  the  still  more  close 
bonds  of  love  and  tender  friendship.  I  feel  a  lively  interest  in 
all  which  concerns  you ;  and  should  be  more  than  commonly 
happy,  if  a  brother's  prayer,  and  a  brother's  admonition,  should 
prove  in  any  way  conducive  to  the  welfare  and  advancement  of 
a  much-loved  sister. 

"  I  am  desirous  of  seeing  and  knowing  that  you  will  shine  in 
the  united  characters  of  wife,  mother,  mistress,  friend,  and 
Christian.  I  feel  truly  and  unequivocally  anxious  that  you 
should  not,  even  in  appearance,  sink  into  the  mere  accomplished 
and  elegant  woman.  I  wish  you  to  set  a  right  estimate  upon 
that  far  more  accomplished,  and  infinitely  more  useful  charac- 
ter, which  exists  chiefly  within  the  walls  of  your  own  house. 
Every  thing  depends  on  your  first  outset.  By  the  model  which 
you  frame  for  your  conduct  this  very  year,  will  probably  be 
regulated  all  your  subsequent  character  and  conduct,  in  every 
future  station  and  relation  of  life. 

"  You  well  know  the  affection,  and  I  trust  will  not  despise 
the  judgment  and  sentiments  of  him  who  speaks  thus  candidly 
and  frankly  to  you.  I  am  well  persuaded  that  a  young  woman, 
to  be  truly  respectable,  must  dare  to  be  laudably  singular. 
There  always  will  be  a  certain  description  of  persons  in  every 
place,  who  will  wonder  that  you  can  exist  without  passing  your 
time  as  they  do  ;  but  amongst  those  whose  esteem  and  opinion 
alone  ought  to  regulate  your  own  feelings  and  conduct,  the 
more  retired  and  seldom-to-be-seen  wife,  whose  theatre  of  real 
action  and  real  pleasure  is  within  her  own  house,  in  the  fulfil- 
ment of  sober,  useful,  and  exemplary  duties,  will  ever  be  most 
beloved,  most  respected,  and  most  befriended. 

"  By  way  of  immediate  occupation  of  your  time  and  thoughts, 
allow  me  to  direct  them  to  the  relief  and  benefit  of  the  poor ; 
not  by  idle  gratuities,  but  by  diligently  seeking  them  out,  in- 
forming yourself  of  their  wants  and  distresses,  and  economi- 
■zing  in  superfluities,  in  order  that  thereby  the  poor  may  abound 
in  needfuls,  and  you  may  abound  in  their  blessings.  Be  sys- 
tematically charitable,  both  to  their  souls  and  bodies.  Promote 
plans  for  instruction ;  assist  in  superintending  them  ;  employ 
yourself  in  making  clothes  for  them  ;  and  rest  not  till  you  have 
made  it  a  settled  and  uniform  part  of  your  character,  to  be  ac- 
tively, constantly,  and  watchfully  charitable. 

Let  me  beg  of  you  to  buy  the  new  edition  of  Hannah 
More's  works,  and  invariably  read  them  once  a  rear,  particularlv 

4* 


38 


MEMOIRS  OP  THE 


her  '  Strictures  on  Education.'  Let  me  recommend,  with  the 
united  earnestness  of  a  brother  and  clergyman,  that  you  will 
read  religious  books,  and  sometimes  allow  me  to  be  your  advi- 
ser. Be  scrupulously  attentive  to  the  observance  of  the  sab- 
bath, both  in  public  and  in  private,  both  at  church  and  at  home; 
and  in  all  your  pleasures,  all  your  pains,  all  your  employments, 
prospects,  plans,  and  engagements,  remember  that  the  use  of 
this  life  is  to  prepare  for  a  better  ;  and  that  '  straight  is  the  gate, 
and  narrow  is  the  way  that  leads  to  eternal  life,  and  few  there 
be  that  find  it.'  Read  your  Bible,  with  prayer,  daily,  under  the 
impression  of  this  awful  truth  :  and  may  God  remember  you , 
my  dearest  sister,  amongst  those  whom  he  especially  loveth ; 
and  his  grace  render  you,  what  I  wish  you  may  always  prove  to 
be,  a  valued  wife,  a  tender  mother,  an  estimable  friend,  and  a 
devoted  Christian. — Your  affectionate  brother, 

L.  Richmond." 

We  now  proceed  to  unfold  the  more  secret  recesses  of  his 
heart,  as  developed  in  a  diary,  commencing  January,  1804,  and 
continued  to  August  of  the  same  year.  It  is  much  to  be 
lamented,  that  it  never  seems  to  have  been  regularly  resumed, 
and  that  there  are  only  occasional  and  interrupted  docu- 
ments of  this  kind  found  among  his  papers.  A  diary,  in  its 
spiritual  use  and  character,  is  a  record  of  the  soul's  state  of 
feeling,  in  reference  to  the  all-seeing  eye  of  God ;  and  there- 
fore must  necessarily  be  supposed  to  be  the  genuine  expression 
of  all  its  inward  movements,  to  the  exclusion  of  every  thing 
that,  by  any  possibility,  can  be  supposed  to  be  deceptive  or 
assumed.  In  this  sense,  it  is  one  of  the  most  solemn  acts  of 
intercourse  that  can  subsist  between  the  soul  and  God.  It  is 
the  exposure  of  every  thought — the  confession  of  every  infirmi- 
ty— the  prostration  of  the  soul  before  a  pure  and  holy  Being, 
in  all  the  depths  of  self-abasement ;  and  directed  to  these  im- 
portant ends,  it  is  like  antedating  the  judicial  investigation  and 
sentence  of  the  last  great  day  of  the  Lord.  Good  men  have 
differed  as  to  the  expediency  and  necessity  of  this  act ;  but  the 
difference,  probably,  will  be  found  less  to  regard  the  principle 
itself,  than  the  mode  of  its  execution.  Duly  improved,  it  may  be 
a  powerful  check  and  faithful  monitor  to  every  thought,  word 
and  deed ;  and  though  a  divine  power  alone  can  restrain  the 
passions  of  the  heart,  and  restore  it  in  its  wanderings,  yet  sub- 
ordinate means,  in  dependence  on  this  power,  are  still  available, 
and  may  be  blest  in  their  use  ;  as  the  river  is  composed  of  tribu- 
tary streams  and  rills,  and  yet  all  finally  direct  their  course  tQ 
the  same  wide  and  expansive  ocean. 


REV.  LEGII  RiCHMOiSD.  3i> 

Leaving,  therefore,  the  decision  of  this  question  to  each 
man's  judgment  and  conscience,  we  now  lay  before  the  reader 
the  following  extracts  from  the  diary  to  which  we  have  alluded. 

"  Jan.  1.  A  new  year  is  begun,  but  where  is  the  new  heart, 
and  the  right  spirit?  0,  weakness  and  wickedness  !  Preached 
from  Rom.  xi.  28,  29  ;  and  Job  xvi.  22.  Felt  much  satisfac- 
tion, after  the  morning  service,  from  J   and  his  wife 

proposing  to  become  members  of  my  society.  He  shed  tears  of 
penitence  and  joy.  May  God  work  all  for  good.  In  the  after- 
noon, felt  something  of  the  fear  of  man  ;  but  found,  as  I  pro- 
ceeded, more  freedom.  O  Lord,  save  me  from  fear  of  censure, 
and  love  of  praise !  Went  in  the  evening  to  my  society  at 
Arreton  :  few,  but  meek,  humble,  and  hopeful.  Another  mem- 
ber proposed,  an  infirm  old  widow. 

"  Jan.  3.  Uneasy  at  not  having  completed  another  part  of 
-the  review  of  Daubeny.*  I  am  very  deficient  in  steady,  perse- 
vering diligence.  Let  me  think  much  of  this,  and  learn  to  set 
a  right  value  on  time.  Oh  !  how  precious  ought  every  hour  to 
be,  when  each  may  be  the  last.  Thought  much  of  Cow- 
per's  description  of  preaching:  (Task,  Bookii.)  God  impress 
it  on  my  heart.  B.  is  buried  to-day  ;  how  dreadfully  unprepared 
to  meet  his  God !  How  far  am  I  responsible  1  Alas !  how 
great  is  the  burden  of  the  pastor !  Lord,  give  me  grace  to  see 
it,  and  feel  it  more  and  more,  and  enable  me  to  bear  it  with  a 
good  conscience.  I  have  been  delighted,  and  I  hope  profited, 
by  Biddulph's  funeral  sermon  on  Mr.  Drewitt ;  oh  !  that  I  were 
4ike  him  !  I  now  wonder  that  I  had  not  more  correspondence 
with  that  holy  man,  I  shall  ever  think  with  pleasure  of  my  intro- 
duction to  him.  God  bring  us  together  at  the  last.  I  trust  my 
resolutions  gain  strength.  0  God,  in  thy  mercy  strengthen  me  I 
May  my  thoughts  now  close  with  blessed  Drewitt,  and  sink  to 
peacefulness  with  a  blessing  on  the  meditation. 

**  Jan.  4.  Received  the  Christian  Observer ;  my  fourth 
letter  on  Kipling  there  ;|  surely  it  is  conclusive,  yet  what  will 
not  prejudice  distort  ?  Preserve  me,  0  my  God  !  in  the  wiles 
of  controversy,  from  the  neglect  of  practical  religion  within. 
It  is  not  Calvin,  nor  Arminius,  nor  Cranmer,  but  Christy  who  is 
the  Saviour,  and  his  name  only  be  adored. 

*  He  here  alludes  to  his  review  of  Daubeny's  Vindiciat  Ecclesi<B  Anglicana, 
of  which  we  shall  have  occasion  to  speak  in  a  subsequent  part.  It  was  inserted 
in  the  "  Christian  Obsener." 

t  This  is  another  review  in  which  he  was  engaged.  It  was  published  in  the 
"  Christian  Observer"  for  1804,  under  the  signatures  of  Academicus,  and  a  Cu- 
tate  of  the  South. 


40 


MEMOIRS  OP  THE 


^^Jan.  6.  A  beautiful  frosty  morning.  Teach  me,  0  Lord -I 
from  the  beauties  of  nature,  to  learn  the  beauties  of  grace.  Every 
returning  morning  reminds  me  what  a  mercy  it  is  i  am  still  alive ; 
and  have  space  and  time  given  me  to  repent  and  believe.  Take 
my  heart,  O  God !  into  thy  keeping,  and  then  it  will  be  safe.  If  it 
be  thy  good  pleasure  to  rescue  me  from  temporal  perplexity,  let 
my  gratitude  appear  ;  if  not,  let  it  be  ground  for  submission  and 
patient  resignation.  With  thee,  I  cannot  do  ill ;  without  thee, 
I  cannot  do  well.  Heard  Nugent's  morning  prayers.  May  he 
learn  early  the  lesson,  which  I  for  so  many  years  neglected,  and 
now  perform  so  unworthily.  Prayer  is  the  breath  of  faith. 
•  "  Jan.  7.  Surprised  by  a  letter  from  Hannah  More,  to  invite 
me  to  succeed  Mr.  Drewitt,  at  Cheddar,  or  to  recommend  a 
curate.  Oh,  I  am  unworthy,  could  it  be  brought  about.  Yet 
what  a  field  to  act  upon.  Lead  me,  0  God,  to  that  which  is 
right.  Shall  I  make  any  overtures  to  remove  there  or  not  1  It 
has  filled  me  with  mingled  contemplation  and  solicitude.  Is  it 
a  call  from  God,  or  ought  1  rather  to  do  his  work  here  1  Direct 
my  heart,  O  God,  from  doubts  and  wanderings,  into  thy  paths. 

"  Jan.  8,  Sunday.  Snow  and  sleet.  How  cold  are  my  affec- 
tions !  like  this  season.  Warm  my  heart,  O  Lord  !  till  it  burn 
with  the  flames  of  devotion.  Compose  my  thoughts  into  holy 
meditation,  and  let  not  the  events  of  the  day  destroy  them. 

"  Preached  on  the  Epiphany,  and  on  Christ  among  the  doc- 
tors in  the  temple. 

"  My  heart  heavy  in  reflecting  how  unworthy  I  am  to  thick 
ever  of  succeeding  Mr.  Drewitt :  to  be  placed  in  such  a  parish, 
with  such  neighbours  and  friends  as  that  country  would  afford, 

might  be  an  unspeakable  benefit  to  me,  and  my  dear  M  ; 

but  I  hardly  dare  think  of  it.  Lord  direct  me  for  the  best.  I 
am  a  poor,  weak,  irresolute,  sinful  creature ;  without  thee,  I 
can  do  nothing. 

"Jaw.  10.  What  an  awful  idea  is  eternity .  am  I  prepared 
to  encounter  it  1  '  Oh,  spare  me  a  little,  that  I  may  recover 
my  strength  before  I  go  hence,  and  be  no  more  seen  V  Set- 
tle my  opinions  steadfastly,  and  above  all,  my  affections  on  thy- 
self, 0  Lord  !  Have  mercy  on  the  dear  children  whom  thou 
hast  given  me,  and  may  I  give  them  back  unto  thee  in  Jesus 
Christ,  their  and  my  Saviour.  I  fear  I  have  not  taught  N.  all 
I  ought,  and  of  which  he  is  capable.  Let  me  lay  this  to  heart, 
and  recommend  him  to  God  in  prayer. 

"  Much  perplexed  what  to  say  to  Mrs.  More.  Surely  if 
vanity  wanted  food,  it  is  here — to  be  solicited  by  a  Hannah 


REV.  LEGH  RICHMOND. 


41 


More  to  supply  the  place  of  a  Drewitt !  But  a  sense  of  unwor- 
thiness,  thank  God,  represses  emotions  like  these. 

"Jan.  11.  Much  indisposed  by  a  very  severe  cold;  but 
alas !  how  much  more  sick  in  the  inner  man.  I  have  nearly 
finished  this  month's  portion  for  the  '  Christian  Observer.'  May 
I  grow  daily  more  diligent,  pious,  and  wise  unto  salvation,  through 
God's  blessing  on  my  studies. 

"  Jan.  13.  Better  in  body  :  I  thank  thee,  0  God  ;  but  there  is 
much  in  my  mind  that  wants  healing.  Oh!  thou  Redeemer  of 
souls,  and  physician  of  hearts,  purchase  me  entirely  to  thyself, 
and  heal  my  di.-^eases.  I  have  sent  off  my  packet  to  the  Chris- 
tian Observer.  The  world  tights  against  me,  the  flesh  within 
me,  and  Satan  both  within  and  without.  How  shall  I  conquer^ 
but  in  Christ  Jesus  ?  Help  me  to  prepare,  O  Lord,  for  the  ser- 
vice of  thy  sanctuary ;  and  direct  me  to  such  thoughts  and 
words  as  shall  edify  my  hearers,  and  reach  my  own  heart  to  a 
good  purpose. 

"  Ja/i  14.  One  fortnight  more,  and  I  shall  be  thirty-two  in 
years  by  nature,  but  how  old  in  grace  ?  Sloth,  detested  sloth, 
how  does  it  injure  my  advancement !  Would  to  God  I  might 
now  break  all  bonds,  and  fly  in  heart  and  soul  to  the  pos- 
session of  my  God.  There  are  moments  when  all  heavea 
seems  open  before  me  ;  and  others,  when  I  tremble  over  the  pit 
of  sorrows. 

"Jan.  15.  The  Sabbath  is  ended,  I  preached  on  the  rea- 
son why  Christ  delivered  his  doctrine  in  parables  ;  Matt.  xiii. 
10,  11.  A.t  Yaverland,  read  the  Homily  on  the  time  and  place 
of  prayer.  Went  to  Arreton ;  my  excellent  though  humble 
friend,  J.  W.  was  there.  I  pray  God  I  might  sit  at  his  feet  in 
the  kingdom  of  heaven  :  I  know  no  such  other  Christian  here. 
Would  to  God  I  were  like  him.  I  found  much  comfort  with  my 
society.  Returned  in  thunder,  Hghtning,  and  rain.  Thought 
of  death  and  of  judgment.  Oh,  awful  meditation !  Let  me 
examine  my  heart  on  its  faith,  hope,  and  love.  Help  me,  0 
<jrod  !  to  pray ;  and  so  may  thy  blessing  rest  on  me  and  mine. 

"  Jan.  16.  Another  week  and  another  mercy.  '  Oh,  teach 
me  to  number  my  days,  that  I  may  apply  my  heart  unto  wisdom.' 
Why  am  I  alive  1  Why  have  I  space  to  repent,  when  so  many 
are  cut  ofl*?  Who  makes  me  to  differ,  either  in  outward  or 
inward  circumstances  ?  Oh,  my  Lord,  and  my  God  !  to  thee  I 
owe  every  thing  ;  yea,  myself  also.  Lot  me  then  speedily  pay 
the  debt. 

What  method  shall  I  take  to  cure  my  spiritual  slothfulness? 


42 


MEMOIRS  OF  THE 


There  must  be  a  struggle  and  agony — heaven  must  be  taken 
with  violence. 

"  Day  after  day  elapses. — Oh,  time!  oh,  eternity!  In  spite 
of  sorrows,  calms  and  relaxations  sometimes  steal  on  me.  Let 
me  not  deceive  myself  with  a  false  peace.  Sometimes  I  am 
tempted  to  doubt  whether  I  am  a  real  Christian.  0  teach  me, 
my  God,  to  answer  this  question  with  a  right  conscience. 

"  Jan.  17.  I  feel  much  uneasiness  at  not  making  more  pro- 
gress in  the  right  way.  The  unfruitful  tree  shall  be  cut  down 
and  burned.  Have  mercy  on  me,  and  all  my  family,  according 
to  thy  goodness,  0  Lord!  Help  me  to  form  a  right  judgment, 
bind  my  affection  to  the  truth,  and  so  let  my  life  shew  it  forth. 
Often,  as  my  birth-day  approached,  have  I  made  resolutions  of 
a  new  life ;  but  there  has  always  been  an  enemy  within  and 
without,  to  prevail  against  me. 

"  Much  pleased  with  Dr.  Jackson,  on  the  Catholic  church — 
a  curious  and  beautiful  mean,  between  Arminia«ism  and  high 
Calvinism.  Give  me  a  firm  and  resolute  heart,  0  God !  even 
such  an  one  as  thou  wilt  accept. 

"  Wrote  to  Hannah  More,  dubiously.    Lord,  direct  me  to 
choose  for  the  best. 

"Jaw.  18.  This  day,  with  thy  blessing,  I  shall  go  to  feed 
my  sheep  at  Bembridge.  Grant  me  to  do  so  with  a  faithful  and 
a  single  heart.  I  always  look  upon  that  society,  as  a  humble 
ground  for  hope  that  the  Lord  means  to  do  good  through  me ; 
yet  how  often  do  I  perform  that  duty  with  slothfulness.  Give  - 
me,  O  God,  more  will,  and  strength,  and  grace,  and  power,  and 
blessing,  and  success  ;  and  teach  me  to  judge  (if  it  so  please 
thee)  by  the  state  of  my  people,  of  my  own.  Provide  Cheddar 
with  a  successor  to  Drewitt,  after  thine  own  heart;  and  increase  , 
the  number  of  true  pastors,  and  true  sheep  in  thy  pasture. 

"  Jmi.  19.  How  vain  are  all  attempts  to  find  peace  in  aught 
but  the  Gospel!  How  the  world  steals  upon  the  mind,  and 
usurps  the  throne  of  God.  *  Video  meliora  proboque,  deteriora 
sequor.*  Make  me  more  discreet  and  considerate  in  the  ma- 
nagement of  my  property.  Let  justice  and  generosity  be  equally 
and  forcibly  remembered.  I  find  my  prayers  languid  and  luke- 
warm to-day.    Why  is  this?    The  fault  must  lie  within. 

"  Jan.  20.  Little  Mary  in  a  very  high  fever ;  Nugent  begin- 
ning to  have  one.  Teach  me  so  to  bear  these  trials,  that  they 
may  be  truly  profitable  unto  me. 

"  Jan.  24,  I^et  me  impress  on  my  mind  the  value  of  time, 
and  resolve  and  act  accordingly.    Let  me  often  reflect  on  in) 


TIEV.  LEGH  RICHMOND. 


43 


wife's  and  children's  souls,  as  well  as  my  own ;  and  never  forget 
the  spiritual  welfare  of  my  flock. 

Mary  excessively  weak — Nugent  worse.  Keep  my  heart, 
0  God  !  or  I  shall  be  soon  overwhelmed.  Grant  me  thy  bless- 
ing, 0  God! 

"Jaw.  25.  Letter  from  Mr.  Wilberforce.  How  beautiful  a 
sight  is  riches  united  with  godliness.  Yet  who  that  has  the  latter 
is  not  truly  possessed  of  the  former  ?  If  the  weather  should 
permit  my  going  to  Bembridge,  prosper  my  endeavour  among 
the  people,  0  Lord !  and  may  their  prosperity  be  mine. 

"  —  27.  An  affecting  letter  from  my  mother  to  my  wife,  ex- 
horting to  fortitude  and  patience,  in  case  it  should  please  God 
to  take  our  sweet  little  Mary  to  himself.  Yiay  we  find  it  to  be 
for  our  good,  which  ever  way  the  righteous  God  shall  ordain. 
Let  me  reflect  much  on  this  matter — and  be  thou  with  me,  O 
my  God !  in  all  my  prayers  and  supplications. 

"  —  29.  The  Lord's  sabbath  and  my  birth-day.  O  Al- 
mighty God !  sanctify  this  day  in  my  heart :  herein  and  hence- 
forth may  I  rest  ft-om  sin,  and  spiritual  sorrow,  except  that  sor- 
row which  worketh  repentance  unto  salvation. 

I  have  preached  on  the  parable,  Matt.  xx.  1 ;  and  from 
Eiph.  i.  7,  on  redemption. 

"  Had  some  interesting  conversation  with  J.  W.  and  E.  C. 
Went  to  Arreton — Comfort  and  peace.  My  child  rather  better. 
God  bless  us  all,  and  make  us  to  know  what  means  peace  with 
thee. 

"  The  barometer  rose  an  inch  and  a  half  in  twenty-four  hours. 

"  Jan.  30.  The  risings  and  fallings  of  the  barometer,  and 
the  consequent  changes  of  weather,  remind  me  of  the  risings 
and  fallings  of  my  own  spirit.  This  day  some  friends  are  coming 
to  keep  my  birth-day :  when  will  friends  of  another  kind  cele- 
brate my  birth-day  into  the  life  of  glory?  Ten  pounds  from  Mr. 
A\ilberforce  for  the  poor.    Holy  man!  would  I  resembled  thee. 

"  —  31.  May  God  strengthen  me  to  keep  my  birth-day  re- 
solutions ;  I  am  very  weak  and  unstable. 

"  A  momentary  fit  of  anger,  which,  blessed  be  God,  I  imme- 
diately tranquillized,  and  sought  present  reconciliation.  Let  the 
fear  of  God's  a?iger  ever  make  me  afraid  of  wy  own. 

"  Feb.  I.  T  am  studying  the  Augsburg  Confession  on  Justi- 
fication. It  appears  decisive  against  Daubeny.  Oh!  for  a  full 
application  of  the  doctrine  to  my  own  soul. 

"  Met  my  society  at  Bembridge.  The  occasion  profitable. 
Returned  in  a  storm.  May  these  meetings  prove  a  solid  and 
permanent  advantage  to  all  and  to  me. 


4.4 


MEMOIRS  OF  THE 


2.  When  I  reflect  on  my  unfruitfulness,  I  tremble/ 
Hours,  days,  weeks,  years  roll  on,  and  still  so  much  is  to  be 
done. 

"  I  have  looked  into  the  controversy  between  Daubeny  and 
Overton.  Faults  on  both  sides.  But  there  is  a  controversy 
between  me  and  my  God,  where  the  fault  is  all  on  one  side. 
Who  shall  judge  between  us  ?  O  Christ !  be  my  advocate,  yea, 
my  surety,  and  I  shall  not  fear  thee,  when  thou  shalt  appear  as 
my  judge. 

"  Feb.  7.  Much  ado  about  nothing,  and  little  done  about  the 
great  thing.  Oh,  let  thy  mercy  be  shown  to  me,  by  enabling 
me  to  show  mercy  to  myself!  When  I  think  of  what  I  have 
been,  what  I  am,  what  I  shall  be, — the  idea  fills  me  with  hope- 
ful fear,  and  fearful  hope.  Let  me  think  of  my  sermons,  my 
soul,  my  family,  my  relations,  my  friends,  my  parish,  my  Saviour, 
and  my  God  ;  and  thus  close  my  meditation  to-night  with  prayer. 

*'  —  9.  Dreamed  a  dream,  full  of  confusion  and  danger  ; 
useful  hints  may  be  drawn  rationally  from  dreams,  so  far  as  they 
may  be  considered  as  resulting  from  the  state  and  frame  of  the 
body,  and  the  inward  customary  state  of  the  mind.  Dreams 
are  for  the  most  part  the  uninterrupted  thoughts  of  the  soul  in 
sleep.  Oh,  my  God !  may  my  waking  thoughts  and  my  sleep- 
ing imaginations  all  become  full  of  thee  ! 

— 10.  I  find  a  strong  inclination  to  false  fancy,  as  if  some 
change  in  my  worldly  state  and  residence  were  to  bring  about  a 
correspondent  one  in  my  spiritual  condition.  Satan  struggles, 
together  with  the  flesh,  to  keep  up  the  dangerous  phantom.  Art 
thou  not  here,  0  my  God  !  and  is  not  mine  office  here  ?  and  has 
nqt  my  soul  helps  sufficient?  Oh,  yes !  give  me  strength  to 
resist  this,  and  to  seek  thee  here  and  now.  Oh  !  let  me  watch 
as  well  as  pray,  lest  I  enter  into  temptation. 

'*  Feb.  11.  This  day  is  to  be  an  eclipse  of  the  sun.  What 
a  beautiful  emblem  of  those  eclipses  of  the  soul,  which  some- 
times hide  the  face  of  God  from  the  sons  of  earth.  Oh,  revive 
me  with  thy  presence,  my  God  !  even  thy  effectual  and  abiding  * 
presence.  I  have  been  meditating  on  the  parable  of  the  good 
Samaritan,  in  a  spiritual  application,  with  a  view  of  preaching  on 
it.    May  both  its  literal  and  mystical  sense  shine  forth  in  rae. 

To-morrow  is  thy  day,  O  God  of  Hosts  !  may  I  sanctify  it, 
and  may  my  words  be  blessed  to  the  hearts  of  my  hearers. 
Enable  me  to  speak  from  the  heart  to  the  heart. 

— 15.  Ash- Wednesday.  Is  this  truly  so  to  me?  Do  I 
mourn  in  dust  and  ashes  for  my  sins  ?  I  want  the  spirit  of  mor- 
tification and  self-denial.    Enable  me  to  preach  to  my  people 


REV.  LEGH  RICHMOND. 


45 


Without  fear  of  man,  and  with  the  love  of  God  in  my  D>yii 
heart. 

Oh,  mv  God !  guide,  direct,  sanctify  and  bless  me,  and  all 
inine  and  all  thine. 

"  —  16.  How  weak,  frail,  and  inconstant  a  creature  is  man  ; 
'  and  of  men,  myself  most  deplorably  so.  .  Sometimes  my  de- 
sires and  resolutions  run  mountams  high  ;  and  then-I  grow  faint, 
and  the  stream  of  my  affections  is  muddied  and  thick.  Let  me 
think  of  my  children  and  my  household,  and  of  their  spiritual 
welfare  ;  and  not  cleave  in  heart  to  an}-  one  temptatiort  thrown 
in  my  way  by  the  world. 

"The  organ  proposal  .negatived.  I  feel  the  benefit  of  a 
momentary  disappointment:  it  is  physic  to  the  soul. "  How 
every  thing  tends  to  convince  me  of  the  folly  and  wickedness  of 
seelung  comfort  in  the  creature.  0  blessed  Creator  !  when 
shall  I  be  thine  in  spirit  and  in  truth  ? 

"  Feb,  17.    Harassed  with  foolish  thoughts.    I  grow  more 
and  more  ashamed  of  myself,  that  such  things  can  lay  hold  of 
•  ny  heart,  and  that  I  should  have  such  deadness  towards  heaven. 
6  earth,  earth,  eai  th !  hear  the  word  of  the  Lord.' 

"I  have  been  to  . Bembridge,  and  read  Burder's' poetical 
abridgement  of  the  Pilgrim's  Progress,  with  profit  and  delight 
to  us  all.  How  much  more  am  I  in  my  element,  among  my 
little  flock,  than  scheming  in  the  world.  Drank  tea  at  John 
IVheier's  ;  his  cottage  is  God's  palace. 

"  —  20.  Let  me  reflect  on  the  fleetness  of  time,  and  on  the 
uncertainty  of  my  life.  Drewitt  as  taken  away  just  at  ray 
age — the  hand  of  death  may  be  close  :  oh,  what  folly  to  ima- 
gine it  at  a  distance  !   May  I  then  die  daily. 

"Received  religious  books  to  the  value  of  15/.  from  Mr. 
Thornton,  to  distribute  in  my  parish.  God  be  thanked  for  such 
friends  to  me  and  mine.  ^  • 

"  Feb,  21.  I  have  strangely  neglected  the  .  review.  '  I  pray 
God  to  give  me  strength  to  go  on- with  it,  and  to  think  and  write 
to  his  glory.  ]My  inward  and  bosom  sin  preys  sadly  upon  me. 
I  beseech  thee,  O  my  God  !  to  mak.e  me  a  new  creature  ; .  i&  that 
respect  most  especially,  give  me  a  new  heart  and  a  right  spirit. 

'*  —  24.  How  soon  the  best  plans  degenerate  into  formahty, 
and  how  often  Satan  transforms  himself  into  an  angel  of  h^ht. 
^Vhat  a  fight,  race,  and  struggle,'  the  Christian  warfare  is  !  May 
I  so  fight,  run,  and  strive,  that  I  may  obtain. 

—  26.    A  serene  fine  morning  is  an  emblem  of  rest — rest 
l  om  storms  and  rain  ;  how  ought  I  to  seek  an  earnest  within  of 
that  '  rest  which  rcmaineth  for  the  people  of  God.'    In  all  mv 

5 


46  MEMOIRS  OF  THE 

ministrations  this  day — m  the  sanctuary,  the  houses  the  closet, 
may  all  be  to  thee,  and  for  thee,  and  by  thee.  I  feel  my  own 
deficiencies  daily  more  and  more  ;  0  God  !  may  I  feel  them  till 
I  lose  them. 

"  —  27.  T  every  day  feel  more  the  truth  of  the  doctrine, 
that  the  flesh  and  spirit  strive  contrary  wise  against  each  other. 
Excuses,  apologies,  procrastinations,  delays,  all  proceed  from 
this. 

"  —  29.  I  perceive  too  much  compliance  with  worldly  com- 
pany and  conversation  ;  oh,  my  soul,  if  I  give  way  to  this,  my 
usefulness  will  be  much  diminished.  Let  me  often  remember 
that  I  renounced  the  world  at  baptism. 

"  JS/larch  4.  he  sabbath  is  over.  I  preached  on  the  strong 
man  armed  ;  and  from  1  Cor.  i.  23,  introducing  a  homily. 

"  I  wish  my  children  could  sins:  the  praises  of  God :  may 
their  learnmg  music  have  this  end  and  aim,  both  in  themselves 
and  me. 

"  —  6.  Like  the  Israelites  of  old,  I  find  myself  wandering 
in  the  wilderness  of  sin.  Yet  O  my  God  !  if  thou  art  my  guide 
and  light,  by  day  and  night,  all  will  be  well. 

"  —  7.  ']'he  beauty  of  such  a  morning  as  this  should  be  an 
emblem  of  the  life  of  God  in  my  soul.  What  is  mere  animal 
life  without  this  ?  Oh  !  break  my  rebellious  spirit,  and  bring  the 
inner  man  into  true  subjection  to  thee. 

*'  —  10.  I  am  meditating  a  sermon,  on  drawing  water  from 
the  wells  of  salvation.  Let  me  ever  keep  it  in  faithful  remem- 
brance, that  I  preach  to  my  own  heart  first,  and  then  to  my 
people's.  I  have  been  arranging  the  diflferent  texts  which  de- 
scribe Gospel  graces  and  promises,  under  the  emblem  of  water. 
I  must  be  more  and  more  urgent  in  drawing  from  the  fountain 
of  God's  word. 

" — 12.  One  day  nearer  death  and  eternity.  Lift  up  my 
heart,  0  God  !  in  earnest  prayer  for  real  blessings.  Let  me  be 
more  desirous  of  graces  than  gifts,  and  yet  remember,  both  are 
from  thee. 

March  16.  A  thick  fog  this  morning.  Is  this  the  only 
fog  1  On  looking  over  my  diary,  I  see  much  to  lament.  What 
a  map  of  frailty  !  O,  my  Redeemer,  how  shall  I  estimate  the 
infinite  value  of  that  blood  of  thine,  which  was  shed  for  sin. 
What  are  my  time,  reading,  learning,  memory,  situation,  influ- 
ence, authority,  money,  and  other  various  abilities,  of  mind  and 
body,  but  so  many  talents  lent  me  by  God,  of  which  I  must 
speedily  render  an  account  ?    Have  I  any  talents  for  the  minis- 


UEV.  LEGH  RICHMOND. 


47 


try?  Do  I  use  them  as  not  abusing  them  ?  Are  they  with  a 
single  eye  and  heart  consecrated  to  the  honour  of  God  ? 

" —  17.  I  plainly  perceive  that  the  Lord  has  permitted  me 
to  suffer  a  derehction,  as  a  just  punishment  for  too  much  care- 
lessness ;  but  0  !  my  Lord  Jesus,  let  me  see  the  light  of  thy 
countenance.  Fix  my  roving  wishes,  and  nail  them  to  thy 
cross;  and  oh !  let  me  remember  that  no  flower  can  blow^  in 
Paradise,  which  is  not  transplanted  from  Gethsemane  ;  no  one 
can  taste  of  the  fruit  of  the  tree  of  life,  that  has  not  tasted  of 
the  fruits  of  the  tree  of  Calvary.  ^ 

"  —  18.  A  day  of  rest.  Rest  thou,  O  my  soul !  from  vanity 
and  the  world.  Fix  thyself  on  the  cross,  and  there  muse  and 
contemplate,  till  thou  art  filled  with  the  theme. 

—  24.  I  purpose  to  preach  five  evening  lectures  next  week, 
on  the  progress,  nature,  and  extent  of  C  hrist's  suftbrings.  May 
the  subject  animate  my  soul,  and  through  grace  give  life  to  my 
weak  faith. 

"  Lord  dead  !  and  thus  end  all  hopes  of  preferment  (as 

it  is  called)  from  that  quarter.  How  absurd  to  build  on  man  ! 
"Wherever  the  Lord  designs  me  to  do  good,  he  will  keep  or 
place  me  ^  and  in  him  all  is  right,  and  as  it  should  be. 

"  JSlarch  26.  How  many  unforeseen  events  crowd  upon 
my  attention ;  what  a  strange  busy  scene  is  this,  and  how  it 
strives  to  ateal  the  heart  from  God  ! 

"  —  27.  I  feel  much  dissatisfied  with  myself.  Lord,  what 
am  I,  that  thou  shouldst  so  regard  me  ?  A  worm,  a  vile  worm 
of  the  dust.  I  am  to  preach  to-night  a  lecture  on  Christ's  suf- 
ferings.    What  do  I  suffer  for  him  ? 

" —  30.  Good- 'Friday.  I  bless  God  that  my  first  act  has 
been  weeping  for  thy  sorrows,  O  my  Saviour !'' 

It  is  impossible  to  peruse  the  foregoing  extracts  without  a 
deep  conviction  of  the  smcerity  and  earnestness  of  the  writer. 
The  heart  seem-  to  be  unfolded  before  us,  stripped  of  the  illu- 
sions of  self-love,  which  are  so  apt  to  mingle  in  the  estimate 
that  we  form  of  ourselves  ;  and  conscience  is  armed  with  all 
the  authority  of  a  judge  and  pronounces  its  impartial  verdict. 

We  see  in  his  internal  conflicts  the  struggles  between  the 
two  opposing  principles,  "  the  flesh  and  the  spirit  "  the  strivings 
of  inward  corruption,  and  the  aspirations  of  the  soul  towards 
God.  The  feelings  of  every  renewed  heart  will  harmonise  with 
this  description ;  though  the  accurate  observer  will  not  fail  to 
remark,  that  the  full  triumphs  of  faith  and  hope  were  yet  want- 
ing, and  thMt  stability,  which  time  and  experience  can  alone  be- 


48 


MEMOIRS  OF  THE 


stow  :  for  though  the  principle  which  renews  the  heart  is  marked 
throughout  by  circumstances  which  ascertain  its  reahty,  its  effects 
and  influences  are  always  progressive.  The  reader  who  is  less 
familiar  with  these  things,  may  here  learn  a  most  instructive 
lesson.  He  may  not  compiehend  the  doctrine  of  conversion — 
he  may  know  nothing  of  the  conflicts  of  the  soul — nothing  of 
the  two  principles  within,  alternately  striving  for  the  mastery — 
nothing  of  that  jealousy  over  the  heart,  and  that  deep  conviction 
of  its  depravity,  expressed  in  the  Diary  of  Mr.  Richmond.  Let 
him  then  examine  the  fact  here  presented  to  his  notice  ;  he  sees 
a  man  undergoing  a  visible  and  remarkable  change  in  his  views 
and  conduct,  and  his  principles  and  affections  directed  to  high 
and  holy  objects, — the  reality  of  the  principle  attested  by  the 
reality  of  its  effects,  and  inward  grace  illustrated  by  outward 
holiness.  Let  him  remember,  that  the  conversion,  so  strikmgly 
exhibited  in  the  case  of  Mr.  Richmond,  is  no  less  needed  by 
himself — that  it  is  indispensable  to  his  admission  into  the  abodes 
of  peace  and  glory  ;  and  that  if  heaven  be  a  prepared  place  for " 
a  prepared  people,  and  a  fitness  for  its  enjoyments  be  essential 
to  their  possession,  there  must  be  a  knowledge  of  this  principle, 
an  inward  experience  of  its  power,  and  an  outward  evidence  of 
its  existence  in  the  life,  before  he  can  have  a  well-grounded  as- 
surance of  a  happy  immortality ;  for  the  spirit  of  heavenly  in- 
spiration has  recorded,  in  characters  never  to  be  obliterated, 
"  except  ye  be  converted,  ye  shall  in  no  wise  enter  into  the 
kingdom  of  heaven." 


CHAPTER  V. 

Rdaiion  of  circumstances  occurring  during  the  i^eriod  of  the 
foregoing  chapter. 

The  plan  of  the  preceding  chapter  having  restricted  us  to  the 
illustration  of  a  particular  principle  and  its  effects,  we  now  pro- 
ceed to  notice  what  occurred  within  the  period  that  has  just  been 
detailed.  We  have  already  alluded  to  the  sermon  preached  by 
Mr.  Richmond  at  Bath,  "  On  cruelty  to  the  brute  creation,"  and 
to  the  publication  of  that  discourse,  at  the  request  of  the  con- 
gregation. As  the  attention  of  the  legislature  has  of  late  years 
iDcen  often  directed  to  this  subject,  w  e  think  the  following  ex- 
tract will  not  be  deemed  altogether  without  interest. 

This  dominion  over  the  creatures  was  given  to  Adam,  whilst 
the  likeness  of  God  shone  forth  in  him ;  consequently  it  was  u 


REV.  LEGH  RICHMOND. 


49 


mel'ciful  dominion.  It  was  a  sovereignty  designed  to  be  exer- 
cised with  every  possible  kindness  of  treatment,  which  the  grate- 
ful and  benevolent  temper  of  man,  in  his  state  of  primitive 
righteousness,  could  suggest.  Hence  we  are  enabled  to  deduce 
the  right  of  the  inferior  creatures  to  kindness  of  treatment,  from 
a  most  satisfactory  and  unerring  source  of  argument,  no  less 
than  an  explicit  revelation  of  God's  will,  coeval  with  the  founda- 
tion of  the  world  itself.  The  merciful  design  of  God  in  making 
man  the  lord  of  the  creation,  is  mercifully  manifest;  l^or  such 
was  the  hohness  of  man's  heart,  such  the  purity  of  hi?  affections 
before  the  fall,  that  every  creature  subjected  to  his  rule  was  as- 
sured of  being  happy.  The  intention  of  God.  whose  loving 
kindness  is  over  all  his  works,  was  fully  accomplished  by  ap- 
pointing man,  such  as  he  was  whilst  in  Paradise,  to  be  the  inter- 
mediate instrument  of  his  jjoodness  towards  them.  Made  in 
the  express  image  of  an  holy  and  merciful  God,  x^dam,  like  his 
Maker,  was  holy  and  merciful  too." 

We  might  here  have  noticed  another  sermon,  published  by 
him  two  or  three  years  prior  to  this  period,  entitled,  "  Reflections 
suggested  by  the  close  of  the  year,"  which  passed  into  a  fourth 
edition.  It  abounds  with  impressive  remarks,  and  strong  ap- 
peals to  the  young  and  to  the  old,  on  the  shortness  and  uncer- 
tainty of  human  Ufe;  but  his  religious  views  not  having  then  at- 
tained the  maturity  and  correctness  by  which  they  w  ere  after- 
wards characterized,  we  forbear  making  any  extracts  from  it. 

The  religion  of  Mr.  Richmond,  though  it  engaged  his  most 
earnest  and  anxious  thoughts,  had  no  tinge  of  gloom  or  austerity. 
He  was  at  all  times  cheerful ;  and  the  following  letter,  addressed 
to  his  aunt  about  this  period,  inclosing  his  protile,  is  an  instance 
of  that  playfulness  of  humour  in  which  he  was  often  accustomed 
to  indulge. 

''Brading,  Feb.  10,  1803. 
"  My  dearest  Aunt, — Being  unwilling  to  trust  mere  pen  and 
paper  to  make  excuse  for  my  long  silence,  I  have  sent  a  repre- 
sentative to  do  it  for  me ;  humbly  conceiving  that  a  shadon^  of 
an  apology  would  be  best  made  by  a  shadow  of  a  man.  Now. 
my  dear  aunt,  unsubstantial  as  a  shadow  is,  it  may  nevertheless 
be  the  means  of  creating  a  very  solid  idea  of  the  thing  signified. 
At  all  events,  it  is  better  than  nothing ;  more  especially  as  this  sha- 
dow possesses  (what  other  shadows  do  not)  a  stationary  faculty; 
and  I  do  apprehend,  that  whether  the  sun  shines  or  not,  and  whether 
a  candle  be  or  be  not  in  the  room,  the  said  shadowy  gentleman 
will  not  quit  your  fireside  without  leave,  if  you  think  him  worthy 
of  being  once  placed  there.    It  is  true,  that  from  the  very  con- 

5* 


50 


MEMOIRS  OF  THE 


stitution  of  his  nature,  he  rather  looks  from  than  cit  you — but 
what  then?  A  man's  heart  may  look  one  way,  whilst  his  eyes 
turn  another;  and  I  beg  you  to  take  it  for  granted,  that  he  is 
thinking  very  much  about  you,  notwithstanding  the  imperfection 
of  his  bodily  frame  impedes  his  treating  you  with  a  full  stare. 
If  you  please,  you  may  fancy  him  in  the  pulpit,  and  that  your  pew 
happens  to  be  rather  on  one  side  of  him,  which  will  fully  account 
for  his  looking  straight  forward ;  as  imagining  that  his  admonir 
tions  and  reproofs  are  less  wanted  in  the  pew  on  his  right  hand, 
than  in  many  other  parts  of  the  church.  It  may,  indeed,  seem 
somewhat  strange  that  any  one,  who  has  renounced  (or  at  least, 
as  a  parson  ought  to  be  supposed  to  have  renounced)  all  dealings 
with  the  black  art,  should  send  a  blacJi  gentleman,  as  an  ambassa- 
dor and  representative.  But  strange,  or  not  strange,  so  it  is  : 
and  here  he  comes,  and  begs  leave  to  say,  that  he  is  generally 
considered  as  bearing  a  strong  resemblance  to  his  master  ;  upon 
the  strength  of  which  plea,  he  chiefly  hopes  for  a  favourable 
reception  at  your  hands." 

The  following  lines  were  written  on  the  occasion  of  the  los& 
of  a  young  midshipman  and  nine  sailors,  belonging  to  his  majes- 
ty's ship.  Leviathan,  who  were  unfortunately  drowned,  not  far 
from  his  residence,  in  the  Isle  of  Wight,  in  the  year  1804  : 

Hark  to  a  Toice  that  sounds  from  ocean's  caves, 
Ye  mortals,  who  in  fancied  safety  sleep  ! 
They  that  in  ships  o'erpass  the  stormy  waves, 
See  and  declare  God's  wonders  in  the  deep. 

Warri'd  by  our  sudden  fate,  learn  heaven  to  prize  ; 
Earth's  pleasures  fade,  her  riches  quickly  flee : 
Death  in  one  awful  moment  clos'd  our  eyes, 
Thou  know'st  not  but  the  next  may  summon  thee. 

We  add  some  further  specimens  of  his  poetical  efforts ; — 

A  BIRTH-DAY  THOUGHT, 

My  birth-day  of  nature  I've  oftentimes  kept, 

And  rejoic'd  in  the  revels  of  youth ; 
Yet  'twas  all  but  a  dream,  for  I  slumber'd  and  slept, 

Quite  a  stranger  to  God  and  his  truth. 

\ 

But  he  pitied  my  soul,  I  awoke  from  my  sleep. 

And  he  saved  me  in  infinite  love : 
A  new  birth-day  my  Saviour  then  taught  me  kc^p, 

Fer  again  I  was  born  from  above. 

And  now  I  believe  that  the  God  of  all  peace 

Will  be  mine  till  with  age  I  am  hoary  ; 
But  if  angels  rejoiced  at  my  birth-day  of  grace. 

How  they'll  sing  on  my  birth-day  of  glory  1  I..  li. 


REV.  LEGH  RICHMOND. 


51 


No  cloud  can  overshadow  a  true  Christian,  but  his  faith  will 
tliscern  a  rainbow  in  it." — Bp.  Home. 
The  same  idea  versified  : — 

What  though  a  cloud  o'ershade  my  sight^ 

Big  with  aflliction's  tear  ; 
Yet  Faith,  amidst  the  drops  that  fall, 

Discerns  a  rainbow  there,  L,  K. 

Epitaph  on  the  death  oi*  his  own  infant  ; 

This  lovely  bud,  so  young,  so  fair, 

Call'd  hence  by  early  doom, 
Just  came  to  shew  how  sweet  a  flower,  , 

In  Paradise  would  bloom. 

By  a  reference  to  the  Diary,  it  will  be  seen  that  an  allusior^ 
\vas  made  to  Mr.  Richmond's  review  of  the  late  Archdeacon 
Daubeny's  Vindici(Z  Ecclesice  Anglicance.^  This  critique,  writ- 
ten in  the  year  1804,  and  inserted  in  the  Christian  Observer,  ' 
claims  a  just  title  to  distinction  among  productions  of  this  class; 
•whether  we  consider  the  ability  and  conclusiveness  of  its  rea- 
soning, the  extensive  acquaintance  that  it  manifests  with  the 
writings  of  the  Reformers,  and  with  the  genuine  principles  and 
doctrines  of  the  Church  of  England,  or  the  conciliatory  spirit 
in  which  it  is  written.  Controversy  is  here  stripped  of  the  acri- 
monious spirit  which  too  often  disgraces  its  pages  ;  and  truth  i^ 
pursued  without  violating  the  law  of  charity.  By  a  writer  in 
the  Critical  Review  for  June,  1805,  this  critique  is  called  "the 
most  respectable"  work  which  has  yet  come  before  him.  *'  In 
dehvering  this  opinion,"  he  declares  himself  to  have  been  "  in- 
fluenced by  a  regard  to  the  author's  experience  and  learning  on 
the  matters  in  dispute,  to  the  soundness  of  his  principles,  to 
his  talents  as  a  reasoner,  and  to  the  moderation  and  good  tem- 
per with  which  he  expresses  himself."  He  adds,  that  the  author 
"  has  manifested  a  considerable  acquaintance  with  the  writings 
.  f  the  Reformers,  and  the  history  of  the  religious  opinions  of 
ueir  day  ;  and  that  he  has  successfully  exposed  some  errors  of 
.Mr.  Daubeny,  and  has  thrown  out  several  remarks,  which  may 
.veil  Reserve  the  attention  of  that  gentleman."  That  the  reader 
may  be  fully  in  possession  of  the  circumstances  of  this  contro- 
versy, it  is  necessary  to  state  that  the  Rev.  Mr,  Overton  had 
written  a  work,  entitled,  "  the  True  Churchman  Ascertained,"  in 
which  he  undertakes  to  vindicate  that  portion  of  the  clergy, 
usually  designated  Evangelical,  from  the  charges  and  insinua- 

*  See  p.  59. 


52 


MEMOtRS  OF  THK 


tions  of  their  opponents  ;  and  to  prove  the  priority  of  their  claiiri^ 
to  the  title  of  true  churchmen,  from  their  stricter  adherence  to 
the  real  doctrines  of  the  church.  In  the  prosecution  of  this 
object,  the  real  sense  of  the  articles  and  doctrines  of  the  Re- 
formers is  investigated  and  appealed  to  ;  and  the  conclusion 
then  drawn  is,  that,  by  a  reference  to  this  standard,  a  very  serious 
defection  will  be  found  to  have  taken  place,  among  many  of  the 
clergy,  from  the  doctrines  of  their  own  church,  and  from  the 
principles  established  at  the  Reformation.  A  maw  bold  enough  to 
advance  a  charge  hke  this,  must  naturally  have  expected  to  create 
a  host  of  adversaries,  and  must  have  looked  for  support,  under 
such  a  conflict,  to  the  sincerity  of  his  motives,  and  the  supposed 
authority  of  his  facts  and  evidence.  It  is  impossible,  how- 
ever, to  peruse  this  book,  and  not  to  acknowledge  the  great 
research,  the  acuteness  of  argument,  the  able  exposition  of  the 
doctrines  and  principles  of  the  Church  of  England,  and  the 
methodical  arrangement  manifested  by  the  author,  in  the  execu- 
tion of  his  work*^  which,  if  properly  revised,  and  purified  from 
some  of  the  defects  imputed  to  it,  might  still  be  made  highly  in- 
strumental to  the  removal  of  many  doctrinal  errors  in  the  present 
day.  Many  living  authors  were  specified  by  name  on  this  occa- 
sion, and  extracts  quoted  from  their  writings,  as  furnishing  unde«- 
niable  testimony  of  a  departure  from  sound  doctrine.  Mr. 
Daubeny  being  classed,  and  in  some  respects  rather  unjustly, 
with  others,  whose  sentiments  were  more  reprehensible  than 
those  he  professed,  came  forward  on  his  own  behalf,  and  on  that 
of  a  large  body  of  the  clergy^  to  vmdicate  himself  and  them 
from  the  charge  of  being  corrupters  of  sound  doctrine,  and 
produced  his  "  Vindicias  Ecclesise  Anglicanae,"  in  reply.  It  is 
this  last  work  which  gave  rise  to  the  critique  of  Mr.  Richmond. 
Without  entering  at  large  into  the  subject,  we  shall  confine  our- 
selves to  the  selection  of  those  portions  of  it,  where  the  interests 
of  sound  faith  and  vital  religion  seem  to  be  most  at  issue. 

Though  Mr.  Daubeny  seems  in  some  places  to  distinguish 
between  baptismal  and  spiritual  regeneration,  there  are  otlier 
passages,  where  he  appears  to  consider  them  contemporaneous 
and  inseparable,  and  declared  to  be  so  in  the  judgment  of  our 
own  church.  On  this  subject,  Mr.  Richmond  remarks — "  as  to 
the  expressions  which  Mr.  Daubeny  brings  forward,  as  proofs 
that  the  church  considers  baptism  and  regeneration  to  be  syno- 
nymous ;  we  would  observe,  that  the  church  is  usually  made  to 
speak  in  the  name  and  in  the  character  of  that  part  of  it,  which 
truly  believes  and  partakes  of  her  saving  privileges  ;  and  when 
assertions  are  made  as  to  the  efficacy  of  the  sacraments,  the 


REV.  LEGH  RtCHSIOiND. 


53 


blessing  of  church  communion,  the  state  of  the  departed,  and 
other  important  articles  of  Christian  hope  and  beUef,  whether  it 
be  in  the  form  of  pubUc  prayer,  homiUes,  articles,  apologies,  or 
catechisms,  it  is  presumed  that  all  who  unite  in  the  use  of  her 
forms  of  worship,  and  are  not,  hy  open  and  known  dtlinquency, 
worthy  of  excommunication,  are  really  such  as  we  hope  and  pray 
ihey  shotdd  be.  There  is  clearly  a  very  wide  distinction  between 
the  expression  of  a  general  hope,  and  a  determination  as  to  each, 
individual  case.  Without  the  former,  no  pubhc  forms  can  be 
drawn  up  ;  but  we  cannot  hazard  the  latter,  without  wholly  mis- 
taking the  nature  of  the  Christian  covenant. 

"  The  Church  of  England,  in  her  office  of  infant  baptism^,. ' 
certainly  presumes  on  the  regeneration  of  every  baptized  child. 
But  she  does  the  same,  in  the  office  for  those  of  riper  years, 
respecting  every  adult  who  is  baptized.  In  the  latter  case,  how- 
ever, it  is  clearly  a  charitable  presumption  ;  and  the  exact  paral- 
lehsm  of  the  two  forms  furnishes  good  ground  for  supposing 
that  it  is  the  same  in  the  former.  If  regeneration  is  to  be  con- 
sidered as  always  accompanying  the  rite  of  baptism,  we  shall 
be  brought  to  the  dilemma  of  admitting  that  an  insincere  adult, 
who,  though  he  professes,  yet  does  not- possess  the  requisites  of 
faith  and  repentance,  must,  nevertheless,  be  regenerated  without 
either  ;  contrary  to  the  express  doctrine  of  scripture  and  of  the 
church." 

This  explanation,  if  rightly  considered,  would  solve  the  diffi- 
culty on  this  much  agitated  subject.  It  is  the  principle  which 
pervades  all  our  services  ;  nor  can  they  be  understood,  or  defend- 
ed, on  any  other  supposition.  They  are  framed  throughout  on 
the  presumption  that  all  her  worshippers  are  sincere,  and  as 
such,  she  addresses  them  in  terms  appropriate  to  true  believers. 
If  we  examine  the  construction  of  the  services  of  the  church, 
and  study  their  design  and  import,  we  shall  see  that  whether  it 
be  in  the  rite  of  baptism — of  confirmation — of  the  sacrament 
of  the  Lord's  supper — in  the  solemnization  of  matrimony — in 
the  visitation  of  the  sick — or  in  the  final  close  of  all  earthly  offi- 
ces, the  burial  of  the  dead  ; — the  language  of  devotional  feeling 
is  indiscriminately  put  into  the  mouth  of  the  living  ;  that  of  faith 
and  hope,  is  expressive  of  her  sentiments  for  the  dead.  If  truth 
seem  to  be  somewhat  violated  by  this  arrangement,  because  it 
is  impossible  to  suppose  that  all  are  partakers  of  the  character 
and  privileges  ascribed  to  them,  we  should  bear  in  mind  that 
the  defect,  if  it  be  right  to  employ  such  a  term,  is  in  fact  a  defect 
of  discipline,  rather  than  an  imperfection  in  the  constitution  and 
design  of  the  church.    Nor  can  the  formularies  of  public  woj- 


54 


MRMOIRS  OP  THE 


ship  be  correctly  modelled  on  any  other  principle  than  that  now 
apparent  in  them.  The  outward  profession  is  the  testimony  to 
the  church,  and  the  warrant  for  all  her  declarations  :  the  inward 
experience  is  left  to  the  eye  and  judgment  of  God  ;  and  thus 
presuming  that  her  worshippers  mean  what  their  presence  and 
profession  are  supposed  to  imply,  she  charitably  appropriates  to 
each  the  language  of  promise  and  privilege  ;  leaving  to  every 
man's  conscience  to  perform  the  faithful  office  of  an  approving 
or  condemning  monitor.  here  are,  however,  beacons  held  out 
to  guard  against  the  consequences  of  self-delusion.  In  the  ad- 
ministration oi  the  Lord's  supper,  a  possibility  is  admitted  of 
the  communicant  being  an  unworthy  partaker,  so  as  to  forfeit 
the  promised  blessing,  and  to  incur  the  threatened  guilt.  Why 
then  is  the  blessing  to  be  considered  revocable  in  the  one  sacra- 
ment, and  irrevocable  in  the  other ;  and  not,  rather,  in  both  in- 
stances, dependent  on  the  quo  animo  of  the  receiver,  and  on 
the  sincerity  and  taith  by  which  he  is  actuated  in  the  perform- 
ance of  the  duty  ?  That  such  is  the  supposition,  is  evident  from 
the  language  used  in  the  twenty-seventh  Article,  wherein  bap- 
tism is  called  "  the  sign  of  regeneration,  or  new  birth,  whereby 
they  that  receive  baptism  ri  iht^y^  are  grafted  into  the  church." 
The  promise  is  here  applied  and  limited,  not  to  the  rio^ht  admi- 
nistration^ but  to  the  ri  i^kt  recept'on  of  baptism.  In  the  case  of 
children  dying  in  infancy,  and  perhaps  in  many  other  cases,  that 
baptism  and  regeneration  may  be  contemporaneous,  we  will 
readily  admit ;  that  they  are  so,  under  all  circumstances,  is  as 
unsupported  by  fact  as  by  Scripture  ;  for  how  can  we  suppose  a 
principle  to  have  been  commuaicated,  where  we  can  discover 
none  of  its  evidences  and  effects  ?  Or,  how  can  the  rite  be 
deemed  inseparable  from  fhe  blessing,  when  the  instance  of  Si- 
mon Magus  IS  a  recorded  proof  to  the  contrary  ? 

Che  following  authorities,  adduc  ed  by  Vlr.  Richmond,  are 
very  conclusive  in  proving  how  untenable  is  the  position  that  the 
grace  of  the  sacrament  is  mseparabie  from  its  administration. 

"  '  Grace  sometimes  goes  before  a  sacrament,  sometimes  fol- 
lows it,  and  sometimes  does  not  follow  it.'* — Theodoret. 

"  St.  Augustin,  commentinji  on  the  passage,  '  ihey  all  drank 
the  same  spiritual  drink,  but  with  some  of  them  God  was  not 
well  pleased,'  makes  the  following  remark  :  '  Though  ail  the 
sacraments  were  common  to  all,  yet  the  grace,  which  is  the  vir- 
tue of  the  sacraments,  was  not  common  to  all.  As  it  is  also 
now,  under  a  dispensation  which  was  not  then  known,  the  laver 

*  "  Gratia  sacramentum  aliquando  praecedit,  aliquando  sequitur,  aliquando 
j)ec  seqliitur," 


REV.  LEGH  KICHMOND. 


55 


of  regeneration  is  conmmon  to  all  that  are  baptised  in  the  name 
of  the  Father,  Son,  and  Holy  Ghost ;  but  the  grace  itself,  be- 
longins^  to  the  sacrament,  by  which  the  members  of  the  body  of 
Christ  are  re-  enerate  with  their  head,  is  not  common  to  a//.'* 

^'  St.  Chrysostom  observes,  '  "»:  any  are  baptised  with  water, 
who  are  not  baptized  with  the  Holy  Ghost  ;  they  seem  to  be 
the  sons  of  God  in  respect  of  their  baptism,  but,  indeed,  they 
are  not  the  sons  of  God,  because  they  are  not  baptized  with  the 
Holy  Ghost.'t 

St.  Jerome  has  a  similar  passage,  in  his  Commentary  on 
the  third  chapter  of  the  Galatians. 

"  The  remark  of  Hooker,  is  very  justly  and  powerfully  ex- 
pressed :  '  They  (the  sacraments)  contain  in  themselves  no  vital 
force  or  efficacy  ;  they  are  not  physical,  but  moral  instruments 
of  salvation  ;  duties  of  service  and  worship  ;  which  unless  we 
perform  as  the  Author  of  grace  requireth,  they  are  unprofitable. 
For  all  receive  not  the  grace  of  God.  which  receive  the  sacrament 
of  his  Q-race.^t  There  are  other  passages,  where  he  speaks 
very  strongly  of  the  grace  consequent  on  the  use  of  the  sacra- 
ments,  but  he  is  always  to  be  understood  as  limiting  their  appli- 
cation to  the  persons  of  believers.  Nay,  so  explicit  is  he  in 
annexing  the  promise  of  the  grace  to  the  fulfilment  of  the  re- 
quired conditions,  that  he  does  not  scruple,  in  another  part,  to 
declare,  '  he  which  is  not  a  ( "hristian  before  he  come  to  receive 
baptism,  cannot  be  made  a  Christian  by  baptism  ;  which  is  only 
the  seal  of  the  grace  of  God  before  received.'  "§ 

To  the  above  quotations  might  be  added,  a  very  conclusive 
remark  from  Bishop  Latimer,  one  of  the  Reformers.  "  Christ 
saith,"  he  observes,  '  except  a  man  be  born  again  from  above, 
he  cannot  see  the  kingdom  of  God.'  He  must  have  a  regene- 
ration :  and  what  is  this  regeneration  ?  It  is  not  to  be  christ- 
ened in  water  (as  these  firebrands  expound  it.)  and  nothing  else. 
How  is  it  to  be  expounded  then  ?  St.  Peter  sheweth,  that  one 
place  of  Scripture  declareth  another.  It  is  the  circumstance 
and  collation  of  places  that  make  Scripture  plain.    St.  Peter 

*  Omnes  eundem  potum  spirilualem  biberunt,  sed  non  in  omnibus  bene  pla- 
citum  est  Deo  :  et  cum  essent  omnia  communia  sacramenta,  non  communis 
erat  omnibus  graiia,  quae  sacramentorum  virtus  est.  Sicut  et  nunc,  jam  reve- 
lata  fide  quae  tunc  velabatur,  omnibus  innomine  Patris  et  Filii  et  Spiritus  Sancti 
baptizatis  commune  est  lavacrum  regener  itionis,  sed  ipsa  p-atia,  cujus  sunt 
sacramenta  qua  membra  corporis  Christi  cum  suo  capite  regenerafa  sunt,  non 
communis  est  omnibus 

t  See  liis  fifth  Homily  on  St.  Matthew. 

t  See  Ecclesiastical  Folitv,  book  5,  p.  273,  folio  edit, 

§  Ibid,  p.  276. 


36 


MEMOIRS  OF  THE 


saith,  '  we  be  born  again.'  How  ?  '  Not  by  a  mortal  seed,  but 
by  an  immortal.'  What  is  this  immortal  seed  1  By  the  ivord  of 
the  living  God,  by  the  word  of  God  preached  and  opened  :  thus 
cometh  in  our  new  birth,^''*  Latimer  here  attributes  regenera- 
tion to  its  true  source,  to  the  efficacy  of  God's  word  on  the 
heart  and  conscience  ;  and,  by  his  sarcastic  remark,  evidently 
considers  the  doctrine  of  a  baptismal  and  spiritual  regeneration 
as  a  Popish  error,  the  opus  operatum  of  the  Church  of  Rome. 

The  part  of  Mr.  Daubeny's  work,  in  which  he  most  discovers 
the  error  of  his  doctrinal  sentiments,  is,  where  he  asserts  that 
the  fait-b  which  justifies,  is  neither  naturally  nor  necessarily  pro- 
ductive  of  good  works,  and  that  there  may  be  even  '*  a  firm 
belief  in  Christ,  as  the  whole  and  sole  cause  of  salvation,"  which 
may  convey  to  the  professing  party  his  original  interest  in  the 
merits  of  Christ ;  and  which,  nevertheless,  may  be  unfruitful 
and  inoperative. I 

In  reference  to  this  remark,  Mr.  Richmond  observes,  "  on  a 
fight  understanding  of  this  doctrine,  and  of  its  real  efficacy  on 
the  heart  of  the  believer,  stands  the  very  foundation  of  pure  and 
undefiled  religion.  No  point  can  be  more  clearly  laid  down  by 
onr  Reformers  and  early  divines,  than  that  it  is  one  and  the 
same  faith,  which  unites  us  to  Christ — which  justifies — which 
saves — which  gives  to  the  penitent  and  believing  sinner  his  title 
to  the  heavenly  inheritance — and  which  purifies  and  renders  him 
meet  for  the  possession  of  it."  To  prove  that  the  faith  which 
justifies  is  not  inoperative,  he  then  refers  largely  to  the  book  of 
Homilies,  from  which  we  select  the  following  passages. 

"  The  right  and  true  Christian  faith  is,  not  only  to  believe 
that  holy  Scripture,  and  all  the  aforesaid  articles  of  our  faith, 
are  true  ;  but  also  to  have  a  sure  trust  ^nd  confidence  in  God's 
inerciful  promises,  to  be  saved  from  everlasting  damnation  by 
Christ :  whereof  dothfolloiv  a  loving  heart,  to  obey  his  commtind- 
ments.'l 

"  Faith  doth  not  lie  dead  in  the  heart,  but  is  lively  and  fruit- 
ful, in  bringing  forth  good  works.  § 

"  As  the  light  cannot  be  hid,  but  will  shew  forth  itself,  at  one 
place  or  other  ;  so  a  true  faith  cannot  be  kept  secret ;  but,  when 
occasion  is  offered,  it  will  break  out,  and  shew  itself  by  good 
v>'orks, 

*  Fathers  of  the  English  Church,  vol.  2,  p.  654, 
t  Vindiciae  Ecclesiae  Anglicanse,  p.  350. 
I  Homily  on  Salvation,  p.  25. 

§  Homily  on  Faith,  first  part,  p.  29.  See  also  the  Homily  on  Faitii  iinil 
Good  Woiks  for  all  the  subsequent  quotations. 


REV.  LEGH  RICHMOND, 


57 


'*  There  be  two  kinds  of  faith  :  a  dead  and  unfruitful  faith  ; 
aud  a  faith  Uvely,  that  worketh  by  charity.  The  first  is  unpro- 
fitable :  the  second  necessary  for  the  obtaining  of  our  salvation  : 
the  which  faith  hath  charity  always  joined  unto  it ;  and  is  fruit- 
ful, and  bringeth  forth  all  good  ivorks. 

"  The  true,  lively,  and  Christian  faith,  is  no  dead,  vain,  or 
unfruitful  thing ;  but  a  thing  of  perfect  virtue,  of  wonderful 
operation  or  working,  and  strength,  bringing  forth  all  good  mo- 
tions and  good  works. 

"  Now,  forasmuch  as  he  that  believeth  in  Christ  hath  everlast- 
ing life,  it  must  needs,  consequently,  follow,  that  he  that  hath 
this  faith,  must  have  also  good  works,  and  be  studious  to  observe 
God's  commandments  obediently. 

"  As  soon  as  a  man  hath  faith,  anon  he  shall  flourish  in  good 
works;  for  faith  of  itself  is  full  of  good  works,  and  nothing  is 
good  without  Taith." 

In  the  works  of  Tindal  the  reformer,  there  is  the  following 
description  of  the  true,  justifying  taith,  as  contra-distinguished 
from  a  mere  notional  and  professional  faith. 

"  Right  faith  is  a  thing  wnnight  by  the  Holy  Ghost  in  us, 
which  changeth  us,  turneth  us  into  a  new  nature,  and  begetteth 
us  anew  in  God,  and  maketh  us  the  sons  of  God  ;  and  kilieth 
the  old  Adam,  and  maketh  us  altogether  new  in  the  heart,  mind, 
will,  lust,  and  in  all  other  aftections  and  powers  of  the  soul :  the 
Holy  Ghost  ever  accompanying  her,  and  ruling  the  heart.  Faith 
is  a  lively  thing  :  mighty  in  working,  valiant  and  strong  ;  ever 
doing,  ever  fruitfid ;  so  thai  it  is  impossible  that  he,  which  is  en- 
dued therewith,  should  not  ivork  ahvays  good  ivorks,  without 
ceasing,-^* 

Without  multiplying  quotations  from  Cranmer,  Jewell,  Hook- 
er, and  others,  we  shall  only  add  the  testimony  borne  by  the 
12th  Article.  Albeit  that  good  works,  which  are  the  fruits  of 
faith,  and  follow  after  justification,  cannot  put  away  our  sins,  and 
endure  the  severity  of  God's  judgment ;  yet  are  they  pleasing 
and  acceptable  to  God  in  Christ,  and  do  spring  out  necessarily 
of  a  true  and  lively  faith  ;  insomuch,  that  by  them  a  lively  faith 
,  may  be  as  evidently  known,  as  a  tree  discerned  by  the  fruit. 

We  close  these  extracts  with  the  following  scriptural  authori- 
ties : — "  Whatsoever  is  born  of  God  overcometh  the  world  ;  and 
this  is  the  victory  that  overcometh  the  world,  even  our  faith." 
"  Who  is  he  that  overcometh  the  world,  but  he  that  believeth 
that  Jesus  is  the  Son  of  God?" — 1  John  v.  4,  5.    "  Purifying 

*  See  Fathers  of  the  English  Church,  vol.  i.  p.  51. 
6 


58  .  MEMOIRS  OF  THE 


their  hearts  by  faith." — ^ds  xv.  9.    "  Faith,  which  worketh 
love." — Gal.  v.  6.    Many  other  passages  might  be  quoted; 
see  John  i.  12,  13  ;  iii.  36  ;  v.  24  ;  Heb.  xi. 

We  should  not  have  indulged  in  these  lengthened  remarks, 
were  it  not  from  the  conviction  that  the  doctrinal  errors,  which 
have  been  specified,  are  far  from  bein^  confined  to  the  name  of 
the  late  Archdeacon  Daubeny  (whom  we  would  here  wish  to 
mention  with  all  the  tenderness  of  respect  due  to  his  character 
and  virtues  ;)  but  that  they  still  exist  to  no  inconsiderable  extent. 
It  is  impossible  not  to  admit,  that  on  the  subject  of  faith  arid 
works,  there  is  a  great  indistinctness  and  ambiguity  of  language; 
much  misconception  as  to  their  order  and  precedence,  and  that 
the  nature  and  properties  of  -i  justifying  faith  ure  not  sufficiejitly 
distinguished  from  a  mere  notional  faith,  or  speculative  assent 
©f  the  understanding  unaccompanied  by  any  of  its  genuine 
etfects  on  the  heart  and  life.  Yet  if  this  doctrme,  as  it  has  been 
asserted  by  one  of  its  most  celebrated  champions,*  be  the 
"  articulus  stantis  vel  cadentis  Etclesice^-^  that  iirportant  article 
©f  faith,  on  the  right  understanding  of  which  every  church  must 
stand  or  fall,  how  can  we  contem;  late  the  existence  of  so 
fundamental  an  error,  in  any  of  the  ministers  of  our  own  church, 
with!)at  the  most  anxious  forebodings  as  to  its  ultimate  conse- 
quences ? 

Again,  if  we  are  told  that  in  baptism  all  are  regenerated, 
though  we  see  thousands  who  have  been  baptized  exhibiting  no 
traces  of  a  renewed  heart  or  holy  life,  how  can  v\  e  reconcile  the 
contrariety  of  the  fact  with  the  existence  of  the  principle,  or 
with  the  positive  declaration  of  Scripture,  "  whosoever  is  borii 
of  God  doth  not  commit  sin,  for  his  seed  remaineth  in  him  ; 
and  he  cannot  sin  (that  is  to  say,  cannot  wilfully  and  habitually 
sin,)  because  he  is  born  of  God  ?" — 1  John  iii.  9.  To  refer  the 
members  of  the  visible  church  to  regeneration  at  baptism,  as 
alone  sufficient  to  accredit  their  pretensions  to  the  Christian 
character,  is,  in  the  judgment  of  Mr.  Richmond,  and  of  the 
writer  of  this  memoir,  to  present  a  fatal  opiate  to  their  con- 
scKjnces,  and  to  nullify  a  most  solemn  and  necessary  admonition 
{2;iven,  let  it  be  observed^  to  the  baptized^)  "  Examine  yourselves, 
whether  ye  be  in  the  faith." — 2  Cor.  xiii.  5. 

It  is  much  to  be  lamented  that  Mr.  Richmond  never  under- 
took the  exposure  of  these  errors,  and  of  others  that  might  be 
mentioned,  on  a  more  extended  scale  ;  fitted  as  he  was  for  the 
task,  by  his  extensive  research,  his  matured  experience,  his  ae- 


*  Luther. 


HF.V.  LEGH  RICHMOND. 


59 


knowledged  powers,  and  the  benignity  of  his  character.  We 
cannot  furnish  a  stronger  evidence  of  the  Christian  spirit, 
dive-ted  of  all  party  feeling,  that  would  have  influenced  him  in 
the  execution  of  such  a  worK,  than  in  laying  before  the  reader  the 
concluding  passages  of  his  Review.  After  having  vindicated 
the  construction,  attributed  by  Mr.  Overton  to  the  Articles  of 
the  Church  of  England,  of  a  modified  Cahinis'm,  remote  from 
all  objectionable  extremes,  he  bursts  forth  into  the  following 
animated  and  Christian  strain. 

"  Are  then  the  doctrines  of  the  Church  of  England  to  be  consi- 
dered as  Calvinistic  1 — Certainly  not ;  if  by  that  expression  the 
assertion  of  all  Calvin's  peculiarities  is  intended.  Are  they  then 
Arminiant — No,  by  no  means;  if  a  similar  mode  of  defining 
that  term  i$  to  be  employed.  But  are  we  hence  to  infer  that 
none  are  to  be  admitted  within  the  pale  of  the  church,  who  think 
either  with  the  one  or  the  other  of  these  eminent  divines,  on  the 
points  at  issue  between  them  ?  This  would  be  a  very  unfounded 
conclusion.  The  qualifications  requisite  to  form  a  sound  mem- 
ber of  the  Church  of  England  do  not  by  any  means  turn  on  the 
avowal  or  rejection  of  the  pecuUar  dogmas  of  Calvin  or  Armi- 
nius.  Who,  may  we  not  ask,  is  Calvin  I  or,  who  is  Arminius  ? 
Were  they  crucified  for  us,  or  were  we  baptized  in  their  name  ? 
We  have  only  one  master,  to  whom  we  owe  subjection,  even 
Christ.  Do  we  believe  and  rely  on  him  as  our  only  Saviour? 
Are  we  humbled  before  God,  under  a  deep  sense  of  our  sinful- 
ness, and  of  o\ir  innumerable  transgressions  of  his  law?  Con- 
scious of  merited  wrath,  are  we  making  Jesus  Christ  our  sole 
refuge  ;  and  is  our  every  hope  of  pardon,  acceptance,  and  final 
salvation,  founded  on  his  obedience,  sacrifice,  mediation,  and 
intercession  ?  Conscious  of  our  natural  ignorance  and  weak- 
ness, are  we  exercising  an  habitual  dependence  on  the  Holy 
Spirit  for  light  and  strength?  Through  his  power,  are  we 
striving  to  be  delivered  from  all  sin,  and  to  obtain  the  renewal 
of  our  hearts  to  holiness  after  the  image  of  God  I  Are  we 
living  as  those  ought  to  do,  who  are  looking  for  death  and  judg- 
ment, and  who  are  candidates  for  a  heavenly  crown  '  Are  we 
obeying  Christ  as  our  supreme  Lord  1  Is  love  to  God  the  pre- 
dominant affection  of  our  souls  ;  and  does  it  produce  the  fruit  of 
cheerful,  unremitting,  and  unreserved  obedience  1  Do  we  feel 
the  force  of  gratitude  to  our  God  and  vSaviour  inciting  us  to  the 
cultivation  of  all  holy,  heavenly,  and  devout  affections  ;  and  to 
the  performance  of  every  civil,  social  and  relative  duty  ?  Are 
we  at  the  same  time  dihgently  using  the  means  which  God  has 
instituted  in  his  church  for  our  growth  in  grace,  and  advance- 


GO 


MEMOIRS  OF  THE 


ment  in  the  knowledge  and  in  the  love  of  God  ?  Do  we  con- 
stantly frequent  his  courts  ?  Do  we  attend  the  table  of  the 
Lord  ?  Do  we  read  and  hear  his  word,  with  an  earnest  desire 
to  be  made  acquainted  with  his  will  ?  Are  we  habitually  watch- 
ful over  our  hearts  and  lives,  and  assiduous  in  the  work  of  self- 
examination  ^  And  to  all  these  means  of  improvement,  do  we 
add  unceasinp;  and  fervent  prayer  to  the  God  and  Father  of  our 
Lord  Jesus  Christ,  that  he  would  pardon  our  sins  for  the  sake  of 
his  Son  ;  that  he  would  sanctify  us  wholly ;  and  through  the 
blood  of  the  everlasting  covenant,  would  make  us  perfect  in 
every  good  work  to  do  his  will  1  These  are  the  more  decisive 
marks,  by  which  our  true  churchmanship  is  to  be  ascertained. 
May  every  one  who  reads  them,  have  a  testimony  in  his  own 
conscience,  that  they  are  fairly  descriptive  of  his  character." 

His  admonitions  to  those  engaged  in  controversy  are  thus 
impressively  delivered. 

"  What  will  it  avail  them  in  the  great  day  of  account,  when 
the  contentions  which  now  agitate  their  minds,  shall  smk  into 
absolute  insignificance,  shall  be  as  if  they  had  never  been  ? — 
what  will  it  then  avail  them  to  have  vanquished  their  adversaries 
by  the  superiority  of  their  polemical  skill,  if,  unhappily  imbibing 
the  baneful  spirit  of  controversy,  they  shall  be  found  to  have 
violated  that  brotherly  love,  which  forms  a  distinguishing  badge 
of  the  real  followers  of  Jesus  Christ  ?  '  Certainly,'  as  the  pious 
Bishop  Hall  has  observed,  '  God  abides  none  but  charitable  dis- 
sentions  ;  those  that  are  well  grounded,  and  well  governed  : 
grounded  upon  just  causes,  and  governed  with  Christian  charity 
and  wise  moderation  ;  those  whose  beginning  is  equity,  and 
whose  end  is  peace.  If  we  must  differ,  let  these  be  the  condi- 
tions :  let  every  one  of  God's  mmisters  be  ambitious  of  that 
praise,  which  Gregory  Nazianzen  gives  to  Athanasius;  to  be 
an  adamant  to  them  that  strike  him,  and  a  load-stone  to  them 
that  dissent  from  him  ;  the  one  not  to  be  moved  with  wrong — 
the  other  to  draw  those  hearts  which  disagree.  So  the  fnnt  of 
righteousness  shall  be  own  in  peace  of  them  that  make  peace. 
So  the  God  of  peace  shall  have  glory,  the  church  of  God  rest, 
and  our  souls  unspeakable  consolation  and  joy,  in  the  day  of  the 
appearing  of  our  Lord  Jesus.'  "* 


*  See  Hall's  Pesicemaker,  adfinem. 


REV.  LEGH  RICHMOND . 


61 


CHAPTER  YI. 

His  removal  from  the  Isle  of  Wight — Temporary  connexion  with 
the  Lock  Hospital,  in  Loudon;  and  final  settlement  at  Tur- 
key. 

A  CHANGE  of  destination  in  the  life  of  a  minister  is  at  all 
times  a  subject  for  grave  deliberation.  He  can  take  no  step,  in 
the  conseque  !ces  of  which  others  are  not  deeply  involved  as 
well  as  himself.  In  no  instance  does  he  stand  alone  :  his  prin- 
ciples, habits,  and  conduct,  wheresoever  he  goes,  exercise  their 
powerful  effects  on  all  around  him  ;  and  he  is  the  star,  by  whose 
genial  or  unfriendly  influence,  their  present,  as  well  as  future 
destiny,  is  in  a  great  measure  to  be  determined.  It  is  this  truth 
which  constitutes  the  moral  responsibility  attendant  on  the  ac- 
ceptance of  a  new  appointment.  If  the  glory  of  God,  and 
conversion  of  immortal  souls,  is  the  grand  object  of  which,  as 
a  minister,  he  is  never  to  lose  sight ;  nothing  less  than  a  delibe- 
rate and  well-founded  conviction  that  this  is  likely  to  be  promo- 
ted by  the  step  contemplated,  ought  to  determine  his  removal, 
more  especially  from  a  scene  where  his  labours  have  been  owned 
and  blest. 

So  long,  however,  as  we  are  assured  that  "the  Lord  order- 
eth  a  good  man's  goings,"  and  "  appointeth  the  bounds  of  his 
habitation  ;"  the  indications  of  his  will,  and  the  openings  of  his 
providence,  rightly  interpreted,  will  ever  form  the  best  guide  and 
ground  for  his  determination.  It  was  under  the  fullest  convic- 
tion that  he  was  pursuing  the  path  of  duty,  that  Mr.  Richmond 
was  induced  to  listen  to  the  proposition  of  assisting  the  Rev. 
Mr.  Fry,  in  his  laborious  services  as  Chaplain  to  the  Lock 
Hospital  in  London.  The  prospect  of  a  more  extended  sphere 
of  usefulness,  and  the  inadequacy  of  his  income  to  meet  the 
demands  of  an  increasing  family,  rendered  such  an  offer  highly 
eligible  ;  and  we  shall  see,  by  the  result,  in  what  manner  his 
acceptance  of  this  appointment,  short  as  was  its  duiat  on,  pro- 
videntially led  the  way  to  all  the  subsequent  events  c*  his  life. 
He  proceeded,  therefore,  to  London,  to  center  on  the  oubject  of 
this  new  arrangement,  and  preached  his  first  sermon  from  the 
following  text :  "  But  of  him  ye  are  in  Christ  Jesus,  who  of 
God  is  made  unto  us  wisdom,  and  righteousness,  and  sanctifi- 
^ation,  and  redemption." — 1  Cor.  i.  30. 

6* 


62 


ME3I0IRS  OF  THE 


Some  extracts  from  letters  written  to  his  wife  at  this  time, 
previously  to  the  removal  of  his  family  from  Brading,  will  throw 
light  on  a  few  of  the  circumstances  connected  with  this  change 
of  his  residence  and  ministry. 

"  London,  February  5,  1805. 
"  I  think  I  may  say,  I  am  determined  to  try  this  situation. 
The  Lord  seems  to  give  ine  such  tokens  of  affection,  friend- 
ship, and  acceptableness,  amongst  the  congregation  of  the 
Lock,  and  points  out  so  many  spiritual  advantages,  thou2;h 
mingled  with  great  trials  and  temptations,  that  I  believe  \  am 
right  in  coming  to  this  decision.  On  Wednesday  evening,  I 
preached  for  Mr.  Fry.  Several  gentlemen  spoke  to  each  of 
us,  expressing  a  hope  that  I  should  undertake  the  charge  ;  and 
one  of  them  suggested,  that  if  it  were  an  object  to  me,  he  did 
not  doubt  that  very  many  would  gladly  contribute  towards  the 
expenses  of  the  removal,  and  some  increase  of  salary.  The 
hint  was  kind,  whatever  might  be  the  result.  Yesterday  morn- 
ing, Mr.  Fry  and  I  conversed  for  a  considerable  time  together. 
I  told  him  all  my  history  and  circumstances.  He  seems  re- 
solved to  omit  nothing  which  may  contribute  to  the  hopefulness 
and  comfort  of  my  arrangement ;  and  I  really  think  that  it  is 
God's  will  that  I  would  repose  a  temporal  as  well  as  a  spiritual 
confidence  in  him.  I  called  yesterday  on  Mr.  Wilberforce, 
who  put  five  pounds  into  my  hand  to  go  about  from  poor  to 
poor  and  distribute.  Blessed  commission  !  I  am  to  dine 
there  to-day,  and  to  take  leave  of  the  Dean  of  Carlisle,  who 
goes  to  Cambridge  to-morrow.  No  two  men  ever  harmonized 
more  sweetly  in  opinion,  views,  taste,  judgment,  &c.,  than  Mr. 
Fry  and  myself.  Our  friendship  is  forming  and  confirming,  on 
the  best  grounds,  I  trust.  You  will  judge  how  little  able  I  am 
to  see  many  friends,  or  to  do  any  thing  but  labour  in  my  voca- 
tion, when  I  tell  you  that  I  am  to  preach  twice  on  Good  Friday, 
twice  on  Easter  Sunday,  once  on  Easter  Tuesday,  and,  per- 
haps, Easter  Monday,  and  even  next  Wednesday.  You  can- 
not write  too  often ;  the  sight  of  your  letters  cheers  and  de- 
iights  me.  I  wish  I  could  play  on  the  ground  for  half  an  hour 
with  the  children." 

"  London,  Sunday,  Jlpril  15,  1805. 
"  I  begin  a  few  lines  to  you,  my  dearly-beloved  wife,  in  the 
interval  between  my  two  services  ;  and  I  can  hardly  give  any 
other  reason,  than  that  my  mind  is  worked  up  to  a  high  state  of 
agitation,  by  meditating  and  preparing  to  preach  to-night,  from 


REV.  LEGH  RICHMOND. 


63 


John  V.  28,  29,  and  it  wants  a  few  minutes'  relief.  The  subject 
is  truly  solemn  :  and  the  manner  in  which  1  propose  to  treat  it, 
will  be  very  trying  and  awful  both  to  me  and  my  hearers.  I 
preached  to  an  overflowing  congregation,  this  morning,  from 
Philip  iii.  10  ; — it  cost  me  great  thought  and  pains  ; — I  admi- 
nistered the  sacrament  to  near  two  hundred  persons.  I  have 
been  meditating  two  hours,  nn  death,  judgment,  heaven  and 
hell.  I  feel,  that  in  the  pulpit  I  shall  either  deliver  myself  with 
very  little,  or  very  great  teeling  and  eflc  ct.  Oh  !  for  a  heart  to 
feel  more  for  myself  and  others  : — what  a  poor,  cold,  miserable 
creature  I  feel  myself  to  be  ;  I  am  sometimes  constrained  to 
cry  out — and  can  such  a  worthless  being  be  saved  ?  yet  there 
is  worth  in  Jesus  for  the  most  worthless.  God  make  me  to 
experience  fully  the  power  of  his  resurrection,  lest  when  I  have 
preached  to  others,  I  myself  should  become  a  cast-away. 
Adieu  for  the  present — perhaps  I  may  add  a  few  lines  before  I 
go  to  bed. 

"  Sunday  night,  ten  o'clock. — My  sermon  proved  very  solemn, 
and  brought  forth  very  copious  tears  Irom  many  eyes.  1  trem- 
bled inwardly,  whilst  I  painted  the  resurrection  and  punishment 
of  condemned  souls;  and  the  effect  was  very  striking  on  a  most 
numerous  and  attentive  congregation.  I  am  sitting  up  to  think 
about  a  sermon  for  to-morrow  morning. 

"  Monday  morning,  five  o'clock. — Yesterday,  at  the  sacra- 
ment, I  observed  kneeling  at  the  rails,  close  to  Mr.  Wilberforce, 
a  negro.  1  was  much  struck,  and  many  interesting  associations 
filled  my  mind.  I  find  also  that  it  was  quite  accidental,  and  that 
Mr.  W.  knows  nothing  of  him.  Last  night  I  dwelt  on  the  meet- 
ing of  husbands,  wives,  parents  and  children  at  the  resurrection, 
and  thought  deeply  of  you  and  your  babes; — in  fact,  i  wept :  I 
saw  the  tears  of  others  responding  to  n.y  own.'' 

While  he  was  thus  engaged  in  the  duties  and  arrangements  of 
his  intended  destination,  the  following  letter  will  prove  that  in 
dispensing  spiritual  instruction  to  others,  he  was  not  nnmindful 
of  what  he  owed  to  one,  whose  happiness  and  welfare  was  so 
nearly  connected  with  his  own. 

"  London,  April  20,  1S05. 
"  My  dear  Wife, — I  really  feel  it  as  an  answer  to  very  many 
prayers  which  I  have  for  years  past  ofiered  up  for  you,  that  you 
are  now  seriously  thinking  on  the  all-important  suljject  of  reli- 
gion. I  trust  you  will  henceforth  become  ray  spiritual  monitor 
and  counsellor,  my  helpmate  in  every  good  word  and  work,  and 
my  wife  indeed,  united  in  grace  as  well  as  in  providence.  With 
respect  to  the  inward  conflicts  and  doubts  which  you  entertain  in 


G4 


MEMOIRS  OF  THE 


your  mind,  you  must  seek  spiritual  armour  to  fight  the  battle* 
Remember,  that  if  you  truly  desire  to  overcome  all  the  evil  tem- 
pers, affections,  desires  and  principles  of  your  natural  heart,  you 
have  an  evidence  within  that  God  must  have  wrought  it,  and 
that  he  will  not  suffer  you  to  be  tempted  above  what  you  are 
able  to  bear;  but  will,  with  the  temptation,  make  a  way  to  es- 
cape. With  respect  to  prayer,  I  recommend  you  to  consider 
the  precept  of  '  pray  always  and  without  ceasing.'  This  evi- 
dently refers  to  that  perpetual  disposition  of  the  heart  to  lift 
itself  up  in  sudden,  short,  ejaculatory  prayer,  which  is  one  of 
the  most  necessary  means  and  proofs  of  grace.  It  is  this  alone 
which  can  render  the  appointed  and  regular  devotions  of  the 
church,  the  family,  and  the  closet,  lively,  strong,  and  efficacious. 
Satan  will  lose  much  of  his  strong-hold,  if  you  thus  laboriously 
strive  to  obtain  a  prayerful  frame  of  heart,  an  habitual  medita- 
tion upon  Christ  and  eternity,  a  frequency  of  conversing  on  sa- 
cred things,  and  above  all,  experimental  contemplation  and  con- 
versation. The  world  is  a  deadly  enemy  to  spiritual  attainment : 
you  cannot  too  soon  see  the  hi<^h  importance  of  being  less  con- 
formed to  it,  in  all  its  vanities,  vices,  follies,  and  unprofitable 
waste  of  time,  gifts,  and  talents.  The  Christian  will  appear, 
even  in  the  simplicity  of  every  personal  ornament.  The  dress,  the 
countenance,  the  tone  of  voice,  the  address,  will  lose  its  former 
levity;  and  in  the  minutest  trifles  of  common  life,  you  will  see 
the  hand  of  God  leading  to  important  events,  and  his  finger 
pointing  to  the  life  that  is  to  come.  I  have  just  been  praying 
most  earnestly,  that  God  may  carry  on  such  a  work  in  your 
heart.  The  grand  work  of  all  is  to  believe.  This  is  the  root 
and  fountain  of  all  other  graces.  That  believing  look  at  the 
Saviour,  which  sees  an  interest  in  him,  or  which  at  least  leads  to 
full  conviction,  both  of  his  sufficiency  and  efficiency  to  save  our 
own  souls,  IS  the  master  work  of  God.  IVJay  you  be  fully  led 
to  see  this,  and  in  God's  own  time  to  rejoice  in  it.  Accustom 
yourself  to  talk  constantly  with  Nugent  and  Mary  on  the  sub- 
stantial parts  of  Christianity,  and  appeal  to  those  little  instances 
of  experience  which  even  a  child  may  comprehend.  I  wrote  to 
you  yesterday,  and  hope  you  have  got  my  letter.  I  have  this 
instant  received  yours  of  Tuesday.  I  hope  to  be  able  to  leave 
London  by  the  time  you  mention.  The  three  things  which  I 
have  to  settle,  if  possible,  are — the  house,  the  furniture,  and  a 
successor ;  and  I  do  hope  another  week  will  arrange  the  two 
former.  I  only  fear  for  the  latter,  and  this  makes  me  uneasy; 
however,  as  I  shall  retain  the  curacy  till  Christmas,  there  is  stijl 


REV.  LEGH  RICHMOND. 


65 


time  and  opportunity;  only,  so  much  depends  on  a  desirable 
substitute  for  the  summer,  otherwise  all  might  be  oveiJaroHn. 

"  Saturday  morning,  six  o'clock. — I  went  yesterday  to  the 
Hospital,  and  spent  three  hours  in  very  close  inspection  of  the 
miserable  objects  whom  it  includes,  i  have  now  resolved  on 
takins:  the  house.  It  is  in  Chester  Street,  about  a  hundred  yards 
from  the  Lock;  it  is  surrounded  by  fields,  has  a  very  pleasant 
prospect,  charming  air,  great  retirement  and  quietness,  wirh  a 
little  garden,  a  remarkably  neat  exterior,  and  as  neat  and  com- 
fortable an  interior, 

"  Our  tinal  removal,  if  we  can  get  a  curate,  must  be  in  the 
middle  of  June.  I  am  asked,  and  have  consented,  to  preach 
the  Charity  Sermon  at  Newport,  on  May  16lh.  I  must  once 
more  assure  you,  that  I  shall  not  stay  a  day  longer  than  absolute 
business  requires.  I  trust  our  separation  has  been  for  the  best, 
and  that  our  temporal  and  spiritual  concerns,  our  views  and  re- 
solutions, tempers  and  principles,  will  all  thrive  and  prosper  for 
the  better.  God  bless  thp  dear  children.  Kind  regards  to  your 
fireside,  from  your  truly  alfectionate  husband, 

L.  Richmond." 

Mr.  Richmond's  connexion  with  the  Lock  chapel  was  not  of 
long  duration.  A  few  weeks  after  his  engagement,  the  rectory 
of  Turvey,  in  Bedfordshire,  became  vacant  by  the  death  of  the 
late  Rev.  Erasmus  Middleton,  author  of  Biographia  Evari' 
gelica.^'  Mrs.  Fuller,  an  eminently  pious  lady,  was  at  that  pe- 
riod in  possession  of  the  patronage  of  this  benefice;  and  being 
desirous  of  conscientiously  fulfilling  the  important  and  sacred 
trust  committed  to  her,  she  wrote  to  the  late  Ambrose  Serle, 
Esq.,  one  of  the  commissioners  of  the  Transport  Ofiace,  author 
of  "  Horce  Solitaria,^'  and  many  other  valuable  works,  stating 
that  as  she  was  much  indebted  to  him  for  the  benefit  she  had  re- 
ceived from  his  writings,  she  would  present  the  rectory  of  Tur- 
vey to  any  cleraryman  of  similar  sentiments  with  himself,  whom 
he  might  choose  tr.  recommend.  Mr.  Serle,  who  at  that  time 
attended  the  Lock  chapel  as  his  constant  place  of  worship,  im- 
mediately fixed  on  Mr.  Richmond,  as  the  fittest  person  among 
his  clerical  friends  and  connexions  to  fill  this  situation.  li  is, 
however,  a  fact  highly  honourable  to  him.  and  a  proof  of  the 
purity  of  his  motives,  that  Mr.  Richmond  could  with  difficulty 
be  persuaded  to  accept  the  nomination.  His  feelings  resembled 
those  of  another  truly  pious  and  excellent  clergyman,  who  has 
refused  to  exchange  a  small  curacy  for  three  livings  succes- 
sively offered  to  him,  and  who,  probably  from  this  circumstance, 


66 


MEMOIRS  OF  THE 


will  be  recognised  by  many  of  the  cleiical  readers  of  this  me- 
moir, What  can  a  man  want  who  is  useful  ai'.d  happy?"  And, 
to  cite  the  remark  of  another,  upon  this  truly  C  hristian  senti- 
ment, "  What  can  he  want  who  has  Christ  in  his  ministrations, 
and  Christ's  love  in  his  heart?  ' 

The  objection  which  Mr.  Richmond  made  to  his  acceptance 
of  thi^  benefice,  was  the  apprehension  that  he  should  enter  a 
sphere  of  much  less  usefulness  than  that  m  which  he  was  then 
engaged.  He  was  not  aware,  at  that  time,  that  the  population 
of  Turvey  consisted  of  eight  hundred  souls. 

He  ultimately  yielded,  hovever  to  the  judgment  of  his  friends, 
and  entered  on  his  labours  at  Turvey.  He  was  inducted  by  his 
friend  Mr.  Fry,  on  the  30th  "f  July  ;  and,  with  his  family,  went 
to  reside  at  the  parsonage,  in  the  month  of  October  lollowing. 
At  the  time  of  his  induction,  he  wrote  the  following  letter  to 
Mrs.  Richmond : — 

"  Emberton,  July  30, 1805. 

"  My  dearest  Mary — I  arrived  safely,  under  the  divine 
blessing,  at  this  good  man's  house  yesterday.  I  have  but  a  few 
minutes  for  a  few  lines,  but  I  must  send  those  few.  i  went  to 
Turvey  this  morning.  I  like  the  place — I  like  the  hou.-e  ;  and 
I  feel  disposed  to  be  well  pleased,  in  spite  ol  the  casement  win- 
dows, which  are  very  good  in  their  kind.  I  was  inducted  amidst 
the  ringing  of  bells,  and  conoregation  of  people,  who  assembled 
in  troops,  to  peep  at  the  new  rector,  and  witness  the  ceremony. 
The  church  is  very  handsome  and  commodious.  The  day  is 
delightful,  and  every  thing  appeared  to  advantage.  There  are 
several  conveniencies  aboat  the  premises.  I  shall  reserve  all 
farther  particulars  for  conversation  on  Thursday  evening,  when 
I  hope  to  see  you,  To-morrow  I  go  to  Mr.  Higgins,  and  to 
make  various  inquiries  at  the  rectory  ;  and  in  the  evening,  I 
preach  for  Mr.  Fry. 

"  My  first  impression  of  all  the  premises  at  Turvey  was  a 
favourable  one  ;  and  I  am  persuaded  all  may  be  comfortable, 
with  a  blessing  on  a  contented  and  satisfied  heart," 


REV.  LEGH  RICHMOND. 


67 


CHAPTER  VTI. 

CJommencement  of  his  ministerial  labours  at  Turkey — Former' 
state  of  the  parish — Plans  and  exertions  for  its  improvement — • 
Judicious  ruhs  and  regulations  of  hi^  Friendly  Society — Effect 
of  his  exertions — His  "  Fathers  of  the  English  Church''^ — 
Doctrine  and  mode  of  preaching — Brief  reflections  on  con^ 
iroversy. 

Mr.  Richmond  commenced  his  residence  at  Turvey,  in  Oc- 
lober,  1805.  But  before  we  enter  on  the  detail  of  his  ministe- 
rial labours,  it  may  be  proper  to  advert  to  the  state  and  circum- 
stances of  the  parish,  previously  to  his  appointtnent  to  it  as 
rector. 

The  village  of  Turvey  is  situated  between  the  two  towns  of 
Bedford  and  OIney,  being  eight  miles  distant  from  the  former, 
and  four  from  the  latter.  It  was  anciently  the  residence  of  a 
Jioble  family,  some  of  whose  warlike  ancestors  repose  beneath 
the  beautiful  and  splendid  marble  monuments  which  adorn  the 
chancel  of  the  church.  What  was  once  the  mansion,  is  now 
converted  into  a  farm-house.  Havmg  long  ceased  to 'retain  its 
original  magnificence,  it  seems,  in  its  present  form,  to  announce 
the  transitory  character  of  human  grandeur.  The  family  of  the 
Mordaunts,  subsequently  Earls  of  Peterborough,  illustrious 
as  it  once  was  in  British  history,  and  celebrated  for  its  achieve- 
ments in  arras,  now  no  longer  exists,  havmg  become  extinct  in 
the  year  1814.  How  justly  may  we  apply  to  these  instances  of 
the  instability  of  all  earthly  dignities,  the  impressive  exclamation 
of  a  distinguished  judge  of  former  days  :* — '  And  yet  Time  hath 
bis  revolutions  ;  there  must  be  a  period  and  an  end  to  all  tem- 
poral things — an  end  of  names  and  dignities,  and  of  whatsoever 
is  terrene.  For  where  is  Bohun  ? — where  is  Mowbray  ?  where 
is  Mortimer  ?  Nay,  which  is  more,  and  most  of  all,  where  is 
Plantagenet  ?  They  are  entombed  in  the  urns  and  sepulchres 
©f  mortality  !" 

Previously  to  Mr.  Richmond's  incumbency,  the  village  of 
Turvey  appears  to  have  been  greatly  neglected.  The  duties  of 
the  church  were  irre;;ularly  performed  ;  nor  was  there  ever  more 
/han  one  service  on  the  sabbath-day,  among  a  population  of  at 


*  Lord  Chief  Justice  Crewe,  in  the  time  of  Charles  II. 


68 


MEMOIRS  OF  THE 


least  800  inhabitants.  The  ordinances  of  religion  were  not  re- 
spected ;  the  minds  of  the  people  were  grossly  ignorant,  and 
their  morals  and  manners  rude  and  disorderly.  The  Rov. 
Erasmus  Middleton  was  Mr.  Richmond's  immediate  predeces- 
sor ;  a  man  distinguished  both  for  his  learning  and  piety.  By 
him  the  services  of  the  church  were  increased  ;  and  the  work  of 
reformation  was  gradually,  though  slowly,  advancing,  when  this 
faithful  minister  was  prematurely  cut  off,  in  the  midst  of  his  ex- 
ertions, having  retained  his  office  only  for  the  short  period  of  one 
year. 

Mr.  Richmond  succeeded  Mr.  Middleton ;  and  entered  on 
his  new  appomtment  with  a  reputation  for  talents  and  piety, 
which  excited  a  great  interest  in  the  neighbourhood,  and  an  ex- 
pectation of  extensive  usefulneys  amon^  his  parishioners.  The 
text  of  his  first  sermon  was  taken  from  1  Cor.  ii.  2  :  "  For  I 
determined  not  to  know  any  thing  among  you,  save  Jesus  Christ 
and  Him  crucified."  From  these  words  he  uniformly  preached 
on  every  returning  anniversary  of  his  incumbency,  and  con- 
tinued to  do  so  till  the  last  year  of  his  life. 

To  those  who  overlook  the  comprehensive  meaning  of  this 
passage  of  holy  Scripture,  the  text  may  seem  to  be  too  limited 
in  its  view,  and  to  restrict  the  whole  summary  of  divine  truth  to 
the  doctrine  of  the  Atonement,  without  a  due  regard  to  other 
important  branches  of  Christian  faith  and  practice.  But  let  it 
be  remembered,  that  the  same  Apostle,  who  "  determined  to 
know  nothing  but  Jesus  Christ  and  Him  crucified,"  avows  also, 
that  he  had  "  not  shunned  to  declare  all  the  counsel  of  God," 
{Acts  XX.  27  ;)  and  consequently,  the  passage  must  be  supposed 
to  comprise,  within  its  ample  range,  the  full  extent  and  substance 
of  every  thing  that  is  needful  to  the  faith  and  practice  of  the 
Christian ;  nor  is  there  a  subject  of  doctrine  or  of  morals, 
which  is  not  essentially  identified  with  the  doctrine  of  the  Cross. 
It  is  there  that  we  best  learn  the  malignity  of  sin,  the  nature  and 
duty  of  repentance,  the  character  of  holiness,  the  motives  and 
means  for  its  attainment,  and  the  dutiful  obligation  to  "  glorify 
God  with  our  bodies  and  our  spirits,  which  are  his." 

The  following  account  of  Mr.  Richmond's  proceedings  at 
Turvey,  will  convey  to  the  reader  some  notion  of  his  zeal  and 
judgment,  in  promoting  the  welfare  of  his  parish. 

On  the  Sabbath-day,  there  were  two  regular  full  services  ;  and 
in  the  evening,  a  lecture,  more  especially  designed  for  the  young. 
His  weekly  labours  commenced  with  what  he  called  his  Tues- 
day-night cottage  lecture,  from  its  being  held  successively  in  the 
cottages  of  the  poor,  whom  he  assembled  for  the  purpose  of 


REV.  LEGH  RICHMOND.  69 

more  familiar  and  interior  instruction  than  could  be  usefully  or 
suitably  delivered  in  public.  On  Friday  evening,  a  lecture  was 
delivered  in  the  church,  the  prayers  for  the  evening  service  being 
previously  read  ;  and  once  a  month  he  met  the  communicants, 
on  the  Saturday  preceding  the  sacrament.  He  had  also  a  w  eekly 
service  at  the  workhouse.  But  his  labours  were  not  confined  to 
pubhc  instructions  :  like  his  divine  Master,  "  he  went  about 
doing  good."  At  the  cottage?  of  the  poor  he  was  a  frequent 
visitor ;  fulfilling  the  apostolical  injunction,  of  going  from 
house  to  house,"  and  scattering  the  precious  seed,  making 
himself  acquainted  with  their  spiritual  state,  and  gathering  from 
their  answers,  useful  hints  and  reflections  for  the  service  of  the 
succeeding  Sabbath. 

'  A  Sunday-school  had  been  established  at  Turvey  for  many 
years,  endowed  by  Charles  Higgins,  Esq.,  who  bequeathed 
300/,  in  support  of  the  charity.  John  Higgins,  Esq.,  of  Tur- 
yey  Abbey,  his  nephew  and  successor,  has  generously  paid  an 
interest  for  the  bequest,  of  20/.  a  year.  The  school,  though 
well  attended  before,  had  its  numbers  considerably  increased, 
and  its  regulations  greatly  improved  by  the  new  rector.  He 
appointed  a  master,  of  real  piety,  justly  considering  that  on  the 
principles  and  character  of  the  teacher,  the  efficiency  and  use- 
folness  of  these  institutions  materially  depend.  Mr.  Richmond 
was  accustomed  to  visit  the  school  previous  to  divine  semce  ; 
and,  for  the  children's  benefit  chiefly,  he  engaged  in  a  third  ser- 
vice in  the  church,  on  the  Sunday  evening.  Here  the  first-fruits 
of  his  ministry  appeared.  The  conversion  of  two  young  peo- 
ple, who  afterwards  died  in  the  faith,  followed  his  introductory 
address  to  children.  Mr.  Richmond,  indeed,  was  peculiarly 
successful  on  these  occasions,  and  no  part  of  his  labours  was 
attended  with  more  striking  effects.  It  is  remarkable  that  both 
at  Turvey  and  at  Brading,  the  first  memorials  of  his  usefulness 
occurred  in  the  instance  of  children. 

Shortly  afterwards,  he  established  a  Friendly  Society.  Ob- 
jections have  not  unfrequently  been  made  to  societies  of  this 
description,  and  a  preference  given  to  Savings-banks.  It  must 
be  admitted,  that  some  of  these  objections  are  not  without  foun- 
dation. It  has  been  said,  "  that  the  usual  subscription  of  the 
members  is  insufficient  to  furnish  a  sum  for  the  support  of  the 
aged — an  insufficiency  greatly  increased  by  gross  mismanage- 
ment : — that  ordinary  Friendly  Societies  are  republics  of  the 
worst  kind ;  in  which  are  found  no  men  of  talent  or  judgment, 
to  control  the  disorders  of  their  meetings,  which  too  often  pre- 
sent scenes  of  drunkenness,  contention,  and  misapplication  of  • 


70 


MEMOIRS  OF  THE 


their  funds  ; — evils  which,  sooner  or  later,  never  fail  to  issue  kt 
bankruptcy  : — that  a  fifth  part  of  the  funds  is  regularly  allowed 
for  liquor,  under  the  idea  of  encouraging  the  publican,  at  whose 
house  the  subscriptions  are  usually  paid  : — that  the  system  is 
productive  of  much  immorality  ;  and  associations  and  habits 
formed,  which  bring  on  a  train  of  serious  evils  : — that,  to  the 
sum  allowed  from  the  club,  the  poor  man  often  adds  a  large  part 
of  his  weekly  earnin^ys  ;  and,  instead  of  exercising  prudence 
and  economy,  he  wastes  this  money  in  intemperate  indulgence.'* 
These  abuses  of  Benefit  Societies  have  disgusted  many  persons, 
and  induced  them  to  give  a  preference  to  Savings-banks,  unac- 
companied uith  annual  dinners,  and  monthly  resorts  to  the  pub- 
lican. Admitting,  however,  the  existence  of  these  evils,  and 
without  detracting  from  the  great  public  good  of  the  Savings 
banks,  it  ought  to  be  remembered  that  the  abuses  here  specified 
form  no  just  grounds  of  exception  to  F riendly  Societies  con- 
ducted on  better  principles  ;  and  that  the  Savings-banks  cannot 
accomplish  the  same  benefits,  or  in  an  equal  degree.  Th^jir 
character  and  use  is  widely  different  from  those  of  Friendly  So- 
cieties. The  little  tradesman,,  the  domestic  servant,  the  bailiff" 
or  overseer  of  a  farm,  and  others  in  similar  circumstances,  may 
find  in  the  banks,  a  safe  and  profitable  repository  for  their  sav- 
ings ;  but  the  labourer,  especially  if  a  married  man,  has  no  in- 
clination to  lay  up  the  small  sums  he  subscribes  to  a  Friendly 
Society  ;  and  these  sums,  if  deposited  at  the  banks,  would  in 
few  cases  meet  his  necessities  in  sickness  and  old  age.  A  long 
illness  would  exhaust  his  deposits,  and  oblige  him  to  throw  him- 
self on  his  friends  or  the  parish  for  a  maintenance.  But  the 
Friendly  Societies  are,  strictly,  Insurance  Companies :  and  if 
their  funds  be  regulated  by  a  just  rate  of  insurance,  without 
which,  it  is  granted,  no  Friendly  Society  deserves  support — and 
if  they  be  wisely  and  properly  managed,  no  institution  is  bet- 
ter calculated  to  afford  the  poor  a  comfortable  and  certain  inde- 
pendency. 

Mr.  Richmond,  who  was  no  mean  financier,  was  fully  compe- 
tent to  determine  the  scale  of  subscription  ;  and  by  his  judicious 
arrangements  he  prevented  the  above  evils,  and  effectually  se- 
cured to  the  poor  the  benefits  of  a  Friendly  Society.  It  is 
greatly  to  be  desired  that  his  plans  were  universally  known  ;  and 
that  all  Benefit  Societies  were  formed,  or  re-modelled  on  similar 
principles.  For  the  information  of  the  public,  the  following 
Sketch  of  the  Turvey  club  is  inserted. 

The  Friendly  Society  of  Turvey  was  composed  of  three 
^  divisions. 


REV.  LEGH  RICHMOND. 


71 


First,  A  club  for  children  of  both  sexes,  from  seven  to  six- 
teen years  of  age  ;  each  member  pays  one  shilhng  entrance,  and 
a  penny  per  month  ;  and  is  allowed  in  sickness  eighteen-pence 
per  week.  From  three  to  four  pounds  is  the  yearly  expenditure 
on  sick  members.  The  society  has  deposited  50/.  in  the  Sav- 
ings-bank, after  twenty  year's  duration.  Its  members  have 
varied  from  twenty  to  forty  children.  At  sixteen  years  of  age 
a  member  becomes  eligible  to  the  senior  clubs,  and  is  entitled 
to  receive  half  the  entrance-fee  paid  for  admission. 

Secondly.  The  club  for  women,  confined  to  persons  from 
seventeen  to  thirty-five  years  of  age.  The  entrance-fee  is  five 
shillings  ;  the  monthly  subscription  one  shilling,  or  one  shilling 
and  eiiiht-pence,  at  the  option  of  the  members.  Those  who  sub- 
scribe the  larger  sum  receive  six  shillings  per  week  in  illness ; 
and  to  the  lesser  subscriber  is  paid  four  shillings  weekly.  The 
number  of  members  has  varied  from  thirty  to  forty.  The  ave- 
rage payments  for  the  last  twenty  years  are  20/.  and  the  society 
has  200/.  in  the  Savings-bank. 

'I'hirdly,  The  men^s  club,  also  comprises  two  classes.  The 
members  of  one  pay  one  shilling,  and  of  the  other  one  shilling 
and  four-pence  monthly ;  and  they  respectively  receive  eight 
shillings  and  six  shillings  weekly  in  sickness.  The  entrance-fee 
is  seven  shiHings  and  six-pence.  Their  annual  expenditure  has 
been  35/.,  and  their  present  fund  amounts  to  nearly  400/.  These 
clubs  have  about  twenty  honorary  members,  who  greatly  contri- 
bute to  the  opulence  and  prosperity  of  the  institutions  ;  and 
their  bounty,  joined  to  the  subscriptions  of  a  constant  succession 
of  young  members,  Mr.  Richmond  considered,  on  the  calcula- 
tion of  the  Northampton  tables,  to  be  adequate  to  the  demands 
of  the  club.  The  rules  and  regulations  of  the  Purvey  club  re- 
semble, in  most  respects,  those  of  other  friendly  societies  ;  but 
some  additions  and  amendments  were  made  by  Mr.  Richmond 
too  important  to  be  omitted. 

First. — No  persons  of  immoral  character  were  admissible, 
or  such  as  were  likely  to  disgrace  the  society  by  habits  of  drink- 
ing, impurity,  profane  swearing,  or  other  notorious  crimes. 

Secondly.— ^ A  careful  superintendence  was  maintained  over 
the  members  by  Mr.  Richmond  and  the  officers  of  the  society. 
Offenders  were  admonished  ;  and  after  three  admonitions,  if  un- 
reclaimed, were  excluded  from  the  benefits  of  the  society. 

Thirdly. — The  practice  of  assembling  the  members  of  these 
I    societies  at  pubhc-houses,  and  of  spending  a  portion  of  their 
j   funds  in  liquor,  was  prohibited  ;  and  their  meetings  were  held 
in  the  vestry  of  the  church,  at  which  Mr.  Richmond  constantly 


72 


MEMOIRS  OP  THE 


attended.  By  this  arrangement  nesLvly  a  fifth  part  of  the  funds 
was  saved,  and  the  temptations  of  the  pubhc-house  prevented.* 

In  this,  and  indeed  in  all  other  plans  of  improvement,  Mr. 
Richmond  was  the  presiding  genius.  Every  thing  was  conducted 
under  his  eye,  and  owed  its  success  to  his  wisdom  and  example. 
He  possessed  the  happy  talent  of  exciting  interest,  conciliating 
regard,  and  meeting  difficulties  with  calmness ;  he  overcame 
impediments  by  a  gentleness  that  disarmed  opposition,  a  judg- 
ment that  corrected  mistake,  and  a  temper  which  diffijsed  uni- 
versal harmony.  There  was  an  openness  in  his  manner,  which 
impressed  all  with  a  conviction  of  his  sincerity,  and  prevented  a 
suspicion  of  his  having  any  other  motive  than  a  wish  to  promote 
the  welfare  of  his  parishioners. 

Where  he  met  with  opposition,  he  did  not  hazard  the  failure 
of  his  measures  by  indiscreetly  urging  them  ;  but  rather  left  his 
arguments  silently  and  gradually  to  produce  their  eftect.  Cir- 
cumspection and  caution  marked  every  part  of  his  conduct ;  his 
great  aim  being  at  all  times  to  give  no  offence  in  any  thing,  that 

the  ministry  might  not  be  blamed."  He  was  consistent 
throughout,  in  the  public  discharge  of  his  duty,  as  well  as  in  his 
general  intercourse,  and  private  and  domestic  habits  ;  and  thus, 
the  energy  of  his  zeal  in  the  pulpit  was  known  not  to  be  the  ex- 
citement of  the  moment,  "  the  sparks  of  his  own  kindling  but 
the  steady  flame  of  a  Divine  spirit,  imparting  to  others  the  sacred 
glow  which  animated  his  own  bosom. 

To  the  character,  example,  and  authority  of  Mr.  Richmond, 
the  members  of  these  societies  submitted  their  judgment ;  and 
yielded,  for  the  most  part,  a  ready  acquiescence  in  his  counsels. 

Notwithstanding  the  acknowledged  excellence  of  these  plans, 
there  appears  to  the  writer  of  this  memoir,  one  important  defect. 
These  societie  were  still  of  republican  character;  and  it  was 
competent  to  the  members  to  injure  their  own  interests  by  an 
overpowering  majority.  On  one  occasion,  this  defective  gov- 
ernment had  nearly  proved  fatal  to  the  Turvey  club.  The  funds 
had  increased  beyond  the  expectation  of  the  members,  who,  in 
a  time  of  great  pressure,  resolved  to  appropriate  a  portion  of 
them  to  the  relief  of  their  necessities  ;  and  they  were  with  diffi- 
culty hindered  from  their  purpose,  by  his  firmness  and  personal 
influence.  This  defect  is  remedied  in  a  society  formed  at  Em-i 
berton,  on  Mr.  Richmond's  plan.  One  of  the  rules  of  which 
provides,  that  no  proposition  shall  pass  into  a  law,  without  the 
concurrence  of  the  president  and  honorary  members.  Mr, 

*  For  the  establishment  of  this  club,  Mr.  Richmond  obtained  the  annu^ 
*     prize  "  for  the  best  regulated  Benefit  Society  in  the  county  of  Bedford," 


REV.  LEGH  RICHMOND. 


73 


Bichmond  acknowledged  the  improvement  upon  his  principle, 
observing,  with  his  usual  frankness,  "  our  good  friend  at  Ember- 
ton has  secured  by  law,  what  I  have  eifected  by  personal  influ- 
ence." 

•  It  is  very  desirable  that  the  rules  of  these  societies,  after  a 
time,  should  be  enrolled  according  to  act  of  parliament ;  by 
which  they  become  legal  corporations,  and  the  evil  attending  the 
removal  of  such  men  as  Mr.  Richmond,  is  provided  for.  as  tar, 
at  least,  as  it  can  be  done,  by  bringing  these  societies  under  the 
sanction  and  protection  of  the  law,  and  thus  enabling  the  better 
informed  of  the  poor  themselves,  to  insure  the  proper  applica- 
tion of  their  funds,  and  control  the  sudden  impulse  of  popular 
feeling. 

.  Mr.  Richmond's  club,  like  other  similar  institutions,  kept 
their  anniversary ;  but  in  a  different  way,  and  with  different 
effects.  These  feasts  are  usually  held  at  the  public-house,  and 
lead  to  much  disorder.  The  feast  at  Turvey  was  not  a  revel  of 
riot  and  drunkenness;  but  a  generous  ho>pitaHty.  ronsistent  with 
Christian  principle.  Mr.  Richmond  invited,  on  these  occasions, 
a  number  of  his  clerical  brethren,  and  other  respectable  ladies 
and  gentlemen  in  the  neighbourhood,  who  usually  assembled  at 
Turvey,  to  the  number  of  thirty  or  forty  persons,  and  with  a 
larse  concourse  of  the  villagers,  accompanied  the  society  to  the 
church.  The  subjoined  letter  gives  a  pleasing  account  of  the 
proceedings  of  the  day. 

"  My  dear  Friend, — Yoti  wish  me  to  give  you  some  account 
of  the  anniversary  of  Mr.  Richmond's  Fiiendly  Societies.  This 
I  shall  do  with  pleasure,  having  attended  several  of  them. 

"  He  generally  kept  the  anniversary  in  IVhitsun-week.  You 
already  know  that  Mr.  R,.  has  three  Friendly  Societies  :  one  for 
men,  a  second  for  women,  and  a  third  for  young  persons. 
Hence  it  frequently  happens  that  the  father  is  a  member  of  the 
one,  the  mother  of  another,  and  the  children  of  the  third.  Each 
club  consists  of  the  higher  and  middle  classes  of  parishioners, 
as  well  as  of  the  poor.  The  former  contribute,  but  do  not  share 
in  the  benefit,  while  the  latter  are  thus  more  liberally  assisted. 

"  On  the  anniversary,  all  these  clubs  walk  in  procession  to 
church  and  hear  a  sermon,  after  which  they  dine  together  in  the 
school-room.  x\s  this  is  an  important  scene  of  action,  you  must 
indulge  me  with  a  moment  of  your  lime,  while  I  shew  you  its  inte- 
rior. Imagine  to  yourself  a  fine,  large,  airy  room,  with  a  lofty 
ceiling,  following  the  form  of  the  roof  of  the  building  :  the  floor 
even,  and  the  walls,  as  well  as  the  top,  beautifully  white.  Every 

7* 


74 


MEMOIRS  OF  THE 


part  of  the  room  is  ornamented  with  the  staves  of  the  different 
members,  painted  blue,  and  disposed  upon  the  walls,  somewhat 
like  the  swords  and  halberts  in  an  armoury.  These  are  sur- 
mounted with  bouquets  and  festoons  of  flowers  in  rich  profu- 
sion ;  for  which  the  'squires'  gardens  and  shrubberies  are  laid 
under  such  heavy  contributions,  that  it  needs  almost  a  year  to 
replenish  them.  Think  of  the  variety  of  flowers  and  shrubs 
that  a  village  like  Turvey  would  produce  at  Whitsuntide,  and 
you  may  conclude  that  the  choicest  of  them  are  to  be  found 
most  tastefully  arranged  throughout  the  room.  One  garland  is 
suspended  from  the  centre,  and  which  is  carried  before  the  clubs 
to  the  church,  instead  of  any  colours.  In  the  centre  of  this 
garland,  which  is  in  the  form  of  a  sphere,  there  is  a  triangle, 
emblemf^tical  of  the  three  clubs  united  in  one  ;  and  in  the  centre 
of  the  lop  of  the  room  hangs  the  triangle  of  Unity,  which  I  shall 
have  occasion  to  notice  by-and-by.  Four  tables  are  placed 
round  the  room,  so  as  to  form  one.  That  at  the  top  for  the 
honorary  members,  the  clergy  and  gentry ;  on  the  right  are 
placed  the  men,  on  the  left  the  women,  and  at  the  lower  table 
the  children.  I  have  been  thus  minute,  because  the  order,  as 
well  as  the  elegance,  displayed  on  the  occasion,  contribute 
much  to  the  good  effect  of  the  whole.  At  eleven  o'clock  the 
'squires  of  Turvey,  Mr.  and  Mrs.  Richmond  with  their  friends, 
and  some  of  the  neighbouring  clergy,  assemble  to  meet  the 
club,  near  the  school-room.  A  long  train  of  members  of  the 
diflTerent  clubs  proceed  in  order  to  the  church,  headed  by  the 
rector;  the  benefit  members  all  carrying  blue  staves.  The 
same  order  is  observed  on  returning  from  the  church  to  the 
school-room.    A  visitor  generally  preaches  the  sermon. 

"  We  were  disbanded  at  the  school-room,  and  allowed 
an  hour  to  ramble  about ;  after  which  we  were  summoned  to 
dinner  by  a  bell.  The  members  had  taken  their  places  when 
we  entered  the  room.  We  were  disposed  at  the  chief  table, 
and  on  a  signal  given  all  rose  up,  and  Mr.  Richmond  said  the 
grace.  The  covers  were  removed,  and  we  enjoyed  a  very  nice 
dinner,  vario  sermone.  After  dinner,  the  following  grace  was 
sung  by  the  whole  company,  standing  : — 

'  We  thank  thee,  Lord,  for  this  our  food, 

But  most  of  all  for  Jesus'  blood  ; 

Let  manna  to  our  souls  be  given, 

The  bread  of  life  sent  down  from  heaven.* 

"  At  this  part  of  the  day,  as  many  of  the  villagers  as  can 
approach  the  doors  and  windows  are  allowed  to  gratify  their 
curiosity  in  observing  the  proceedings.    After  a  glass  of  wine  at 


REV.  LEGH  RICHMOND, 


75 


our  tables,  and  the  simpler  beverage  of  nut-brown  ale  at  the 
tables  on  our  right  and  left,  the  steward  for  the  day  proposed  a 
I  vote  of  thanks  to  Mr.  and  iMrs.  Richmond,  tor  their  attention 
'  to  the  interests  of  the  club.  Upon  which,  Mr.  Richmond  rose 
and  addressed  them  at  some  length  on  the  principles  of  these 
societies,  and  he  had  recourse  to  the  triangle  before-mentioned, 
on  whose  sides  were  written,  '  Faith,  Hope,  Charity  ;'  and  on 
cross-bars,  '  Mutual  Support,  Unity,  Patience,'  &c.  He  com- 
mented on  these  with  his  usual  simplicity  and  piety,  reverting  to 
the  early  history  of  the  institution,  and  urging  the  necessity  of 
keeping  those  principles  steadily  in  view,  both  in  regard  to  their 
conduct  in  the  management  of  the  societv,  and  towards  each 
other.  He  dwelt  also  on  the  subject  of  the  perpetuity  of  clubs, 
and  the  necessity  of  taking  the  calculation  of  human  life  from 
more  recent  tables,  than  those  from  which  it  had  hitherto  been 
made  ;  experience  having  proved  that  human  life  is  generally 
longer  than  had  been  supposed.  I  need  not  say  he  made  him- 
self understood ;  but  I  may  add,  that  he  gave  the  whole  discus- 
sion such  an  air  of  interest,  that  all  were  delighted,  as  well  as 
edified. 

A  few  minutes  after  Mr.  Richmond  had  resumed  his  seat. 
I     the  steward  proposed  the  thank?  of  the  societies  to  the  honorary 
members,  for  their  countenance  and  support.    When  this  had 
passed,  Mr.  Grimshaw  arose  on  the  part  of  the  honorary  mem- 
bers.   His  address  contained  a  strong  appeal  to  their  moral 
principles,  and  was  heard  with  much  interest.    After  a  short  m- 
terval,  the  Honourable  Lyttleton  Powys  made  a  very  impressive 
address.    His  remarks  produced  a  more  than  ordinary  effect 
upon  the  whole  assembly.    He  held  in  his  hand  a  narrative  of  a 
!     waterman,  who  had  plied  upon  the  river  Thames,  and  by  his 
I     honest  industry  had  been  able  not  only  to  educate  several  of  his 
'     relatives  and  settle  them  in  the  world,  but  also  to  leave  consider- 
able pecuniary  legacies  to  some   public  religious  societies. 
This  book  he  presented  to  Mrs.  Richmond,  with  a  request  that 
I     she  would  lend  it  to  the  members  of  the  club,  to  teach  them  the 
blessings  of  patient  industry,  with  the  fear  of  God.    He  pointed 
out  to  them  in  the  waterman's  character,  his  conscientious  ob- 
servance of  the  Sabbath,  in  his  steady  refusal  to  ply  on  the  river 
on  that  day. 

"  What  I  said,  I  must  leave  you  to  conjecture.    The  happy 
<-ountenances  around  me — the  beautiful  efiect  of  the  pendant 
I     flowers,  and  the  sweet  union  of  '  young  men  and  maidens,  old 
men  and  children,'  filled  my  mind  with  so  many  pleasing  ideas, 
that  I  assuro  you  I  could  not  continue  silent,  nor  refrain  from 


76 


MEMOIRS  OF  THE 


contrasting  the  scenes  of  wretchedness  I  had  witnessed  in  the 
manufacturing  districts  of  the  north,  with  the  comfort  and 
tranquillity  of  Turvey. 

"  I  have  mentioned  to  you  that  I  was  present  at  several  of 
these  anniversaries,  and  I  could  not  help  observing  that  they 
were  so  managed,  as  never  to  present  an  uninteresting  same- 
ness. Some  new  incident  furnished  a  pleasing  variety.  On 
one  occasion,  the  senior  chaplain  of  St.  Helena  was  present. 
With  a  view  to  inspire  contentment  amongst  the  poor,  he  drew  a 
lively  contrast  between  their  comforts  and  his  own  privations  in 
that  island,  He  told  ihem,  that  in  consequence  of  the  failure  of 
the  regular  supplies  of  provisions,  they  were  frequently  reduced 
to  the  necessity  of  eatin/r  salted  beef,  as  black  and  hard  as  the 
piece  of  mahogany  which  he  held  in  his  hand.  After  describing 
Buonaparte's  residence  at  Longwood,  he  produced  a  lock  of  his 
hair,  which  was  handed  round  the  tables,  and  of  course  examined 
with  eager  curiosity. 

"  Without  entering  into  further  detail,  1  would  make  this 
general  remark — that  so  much  cheerful  sobriety,  decorum,  and 
good  feeling  were  every  where  visible,  as  to  afford  a  lively  illus- 
tration of  St.  Paul's  precept,  '  using  this  world  as  not  abusing  it.^ 

"  At  the  close  of  the  meeting,  Mr.  Richmond  requested  a 
part  of  the  company  to  drink  tea  with  him  at  his  own  house. 
His  conversation  was  carried  on  in  the  same  improving  strain, 
^md  was  calculated  to  engage  the  attention  of  the  younger  clergy 
of  his  neighbourhood,  whom  he  frequently  invited  on  these 
occasions. 

In  closing  my  letter,  one  subject  of  mournful  reflection 
forces  itself  upon  my  mind. — These  scenes  are  passed  away  ! 
our  dear  friend  has  indeed  gone  to  a  more  beauteous  abode — a 
pleasant  paradise  above  ;  but  the  vineyard  he  has  left  may,  I 
fear,  in  some  future  day,  be  overgrown  with  weeds,  and  the 
anniversary  at  Turvey  cease  to  present  the  same  happy  fruits  to 
win  our  admiration,  to  console  and  improve  our  hearts.  Yet 
many  of  the  members  of  the  Friendly  Societies  at  Turvey  are 
members  of  Christ.  These  will  follow  their  beloved  pastor^ 
their  father  and  their  friend,  to  that  blessed  society,  whose  mem- 
bers are  '  no  more  sick.' 

That  you  and  I  may  be  numbered  with  them,  is  the  sincere 
wish  of  your  faithful  friend, 

Amos  Westoby." 

The  good  effect  of  these  societies  were  universally  felt. 
The  poor  learned  to  enjoy  hospitality  without  excess.  An 


REV,  LEGH  RirHMOJiD. 


77 


occasional  intercourse  between  rich  and  poor,  called  forth 
aflfections  and  emotions  of  sympathy  and  kindness  in  the  one,  of 
respect  and  gratitude  in  the  other.  Instead  of  the  usual  scenes 
at  such  meetings,  a  cheerfulness  and  decorum  without  con- 
straint prevailed,  and  a  respect  for  rehgion  gave  a  sacred  cha- 
racter to  the  whole.  It  is  remarkable,  that  for  twenty  anniver- 
saries, though  an  instance  or  two  might  be  selected,  of  persons 
retiring  from  the  meeting  to  a  pubhc  house,  not  a  single  instance 
of  intemperance  occurred  at  the  school-room.  Another  good 
effect  of  these  societies  was  strikingly  exemplified  in  the  im- 
provement of  the  female  character.  A  lamentable  departure 
from  propriety  previous  to  marriage,  was  general,  before  the 
establishment  of  these  societies  ;  afterwards,  how^ever,  it  was  a 
rare  occurrence. 

As  might  be  exper  ted.  his  exertions  on  the  week  day  contri- 
buted, in  no  small  degree,  to  give  effect  to  Mr.  Richmond's 
ministry,  and  attach  the  people  to  it.  The  church  was  nu- 
merously attended  :  the  Sabbath  became  a  hallowed  day,  and 
its  approach  was  anticipated  with  hvely  expectation.  The  gos- 
pel was  preached  with  fidelitv,  and  heard  with  deep  and  solemn 
interest.  Many  were  awakened  from  a  state  of  msensibility 
and  thoughtlessness,  to  a  just  estimation  of  the  truths  which 
they  heard  from  their  beloved  pastor.  Instances  were  not  in- 
frequent of  sound  and  solid  conversion  ;  and  even  those  who 
received  little  spiritual  benefit,  learned  to  treat  religion  with 
respect,  and  began  to  exhibit  a  decency  of  deportment.  Vice 
did  not  lift  up  the  head  with  its  wonted  effrontery,  nor  was  sin 
committed  with  the  same  fearless  unconcern,  and  disregard  to 
its  consequences. 

Another  circumstance  in  the  ministry  of  Mr.  Richmond  de- 
serves the  particular  attention  of  the  reader,  we  mean  the  ex- 
amination of  candidates  for  the  communion.  It  has  often  been 
objected  to  the  •  hurch  of  Knglano.  that  her  ministers  admit  to 
the  Lord's  Supper  indiscriminately,  and  without  due  regard  to 
the  principles  and  character  of  the  communicants.  The  charge 
cannot  apply  to  a  consistent  minister  of  the  Established  Church. 
He  is  empowered,  nay  required,  by  the  instructions  of  that 
church,  to  put  in  force  her  discipline — to  examine,  to  reject,  or 
admit  at  his  own  discretion:  subject,  indeed,  as  it  ought  to  be, 
to  the  approval  of  his  superior.* 

*  It  has  been  supposed  that  a  clergyman  exposes  himself  to  a  civil  action  for 
defamation,  by  refusing  the  sacrament  to  the  most  profligate  offender.  This  is 
a  mistake.  He  must,  indeed,  render  his  reasons  for  rejection,  to  the  bishop, 
through  the  churchwardens ;  but  he  is  not  liable  to  a  civil  action,  .  xcept  he 


78 


MEMOIRS  OF  THE 


Mr.  Richmond,  as  a  faithful  son  of  the  church,  and  a  no  lesj^  - 
faithful  minister  of  the  Gospel,  endeavoured  to  carry  into  effect 
the  requirements  of  the  Rubric,  and  the  directions  of  the  Holy 
Scriptures:  1  Cor.  v.  7,  &r;  xi.  28.  The  person  proposing 
himself  for  the  communion  was  examined,  and  a  year  of  proba- 
tion was  recommended  to  him  for  the  trial  of  his  sincerity,  and 
the  manifestation  of  it  by  a  consistent  and  virtuous  conversa- 
tion. Perhaps  there  were  few  communions  which  exhibited  a 
more  satisfactory  piety;  and  the  attendants  at  the  sacrament 
were,  for  the  most  part,  the  fruits  of  his  own  ministry,  and  the 
dearest  objects  of  his  heart :  he  was  regarded  by  them  as  a  fa- 
ther ;  they  consulted  him  on  all  occasions,  and  received  advice 
and  sympathy  in  all  their  affairs,  both  temporal  and  spiritual. 
At  once  respected  and  beloved  by  "the  children  which  God  had 
given  him,"  he,  in  return,  watched  over  them  with  anxiety,  pray- 
ed for  them  with  earnestness,  instructed  them  with  diligence, 
ruled  them  with  mildness,  and  regarded  them  with  the  affection 
of  an  apostle  :  "  for  now  we  live,  if  ye  stand  fast  in  the  Lord." 
— 1  Tfiess.  in.  8. 

While  Mr.  Richmond  was  thus  fulfillinir  the  duties  of  an  active 
and  laborious  parish  priest,  he  commenced  a  work,  which  justly 
entitles  him  to  the  gratitude  of  present  and  succeeding  genera- 
tions. W  e  allude  to  the  "  Fathers  of  the  English  I  hurch,"  a 
publication  containing  copious  and  impartial  selections  from  the 
writings  of  our  Reformers,  and  comprising  a  valuable  mass  of 
theological  knowledge,  illustrative  of  the  doctrines  of  the  Re- 
formation. N  othing  of  the  kind  had  ever  been  attempted,  and, 
perhaps,  few  modern  divines  possessed  the  requisite  means  of 
information. 

The  circumstance  to  \A/hich  Mr.  Richmond  was  indebted  for 
his  superiority  on  this  subject,  is  singular  and  deserves  inser- 
tion. While  he  resided  in  the  Isle  of  V^'ight,  and  shortly  after 
his  perusal  of  '*  Wiiberforce's  Practical  View,"  which  had  effect- 
ed so  striking  a  change  in  his  own  sentiments  and  character,  a 
grocer  at  Newport  sent  him  some  trifling  article  wrapped  up  in 
a  leaf  of  Bishop  Jewell's  Apology.  His  attention  was  directed 
to  the  wrapper  by  one  of  his  family,  who  jocosely  remarked, 
"  this  looks  as  if  it  would  suit  you,  Legh."  He  read  the  leaf, 
and  instantly  set  off  for  Newport,  to  inquire  after  the  remaining 
pages.    The  grocer,  smiling  at  the  anxiety  of  his  clerical  cus- 

publicfy  assigns  his  reasons  for  refusal.  He  ought  to  pass  by  the  rejected  per- 
son at  the  time  of  the  sacrament,  or  warn  him  only  in  private.  The  decision  of 
the  clergyman  may,  iadeed,  be  reversed  by  his  ecclesiastical  superior  j  but  he 
•*viUjiol\;xpose  himself  to  any  process  in  a  civil  court. 


REV   LEGH  RICHMOND. 


79 


tomer,  replied,  *'  0  yes,  Sir,  iiere  they  are,  and  I  have  a  whole 
hogshead  of  these  worthies ;  they  are  much  at  your  service,  for 
two-pence  a  pound."  The  treasure  was  speedily  and  joyfully 
secured  ;  and  to  this  incident,  trivial  as  it  may  appear,  Mr. 
Richmond  owed  his  extensive  and  profound  acquaintance  with 
the  authors  of  the  leformation. 

It  is,  indeed,  a  humiUating  consideration,  that  works  like  these 
should  lose  the  veneration  of  posterity,  and  be  treated  with  the 
contempt  due  only  to  the  meanest  productions  of  the  day.  It 
was  an  honour  reserved  for  Mr.  Richmond,  to  draw  from  obscu- 
rity the  writings  of  those  eminent  men,  who  had  shaken  empires 
by  their  discussions,  overthrown  systems  which  centuries  had 
struggled  to  uphold,  and,  sealing  their  testimony  with  their  blood, 
bequeathed  a  sacred  legacy  of  pure  doctrine  to  the  Protestant 
church. 

At  the  urgent  and  repeated  entreaties  of  several  clerical 
friends,  Mr.  Richmond  was  induced  to  engage  in  this  important 
undertaking.  A  prospectus  of  his  plan  was  laid  before  the  pub- 
lic in  the  year  1806  ;  and  shortly  after  he  commenced  the  pub- 
lication of  the  work  m  numbers,  and  ultimately  completed  it  in 
eight  volumes.  It  is  impossible  to  contemplate  the  execution  of 
so  laborious  a  task,  and  not  to  assign  to  the  Editor  the  praise  of 
unwearied  diligence,  discriminating  judgment,  and  acknowledged 
impartiality.  The  substance  of  the  writings  of  Tindal,  Ridley. 
Latimer,  Cranmer,  Hooper,  Bradford,  Jewell,  and  others,  was 
thus  rendered  accessible  to  the  theological  student,  at  a  time 
when  the  spirit  of  controversy  was  gone  forth,  and  when  a  stan- 
dard of  unquestionable  authority,  and  free  from  the  bias  of  mo- 
dern prejudices,  became  a  desideratum  of  the  very  first  import- 
ance. Since  the  above  period,  a  considerable  change  of  senti- 
ment has  taken  place  among  us ;  and  we  have  no  hesitation  in 
ascribing  much  of  that  perceptible  return  to  the  doctrines  of  the 
Reformation,  which  characterizes  the  present  state  of  our 
Church,  to  the  influence  of  this  publication.  It  has  been  re- 
peatedly referred  to,  and  largely  quoted  in  the  various  subjects 
of  popular  discussion;  and  if  sound  doctrine  be  to  the  soul 
what  nutritious  food  is  to  the  body,  and  the  stream  be  purest  as 
we  approach  nearest  to  its  source,  it  is  to  the  perusal  of  the 
writings  of  the  Reformers,  and  of  their  immediate  successors, 
next  to  that  of  the  Bible,  that  we  are  to  look,  under  the  divine 
blessing,  for  the  revivd  of  national  piety  and  religion.* 

♦  "  The  Fathers  of  the  English  Church"  are  now  no  longer  to  be  obtained 
in  complete  sets ;  but  some  of  the  separate  volumes,  which  are  distinct,  and 
wholly  independent  in  their  contents,  may  be  purchased,  by  application  to  the 
publishers,  Messrs.  Hatchard,  Piccadilly  ;  and  Seely,  Fleet  Street,  London. 


80 


MEMOIRS  OF  THE 


*  From  this  brief  mention  of  the  "  Fathers  of  the  English 
Church,"  we  are  naturally  led  to  the  considerations  of  the  doc- 
trines in  that  work,  to  which  Mr.  Richmond  attached  so  much 
importance,  and  which  furnished  the  leadmg  topics  of  his  own 
ministry. 

He  has  often  been  heard  to  declare,  "  that  two  great  subjects 
pervaded  the  Bible — sin^  and  salvation  from  sin ;  and  that  these 
ought  to  form  the  basis  of  the  Christian  ministry." 

In  his  addresses  from  the  pulpit,  he  never  failed  to  point  out, 
distinctly  and  forcibly,  man^s  ruin  by  the  fall— his  condemnation 
under  the  law,  and  his  moral  inability  to  deliver  himself  by  any 
power  or  strength  of  his  own. — The  divinity  and  incarnation  of 
the  Son  of  God. — Free  and  full  justification,  through  faith  in 
the  atoning  blood  and  righteousness  of  the  Redeemer — the  nature 
of  justifying  faith,  its  fruits  and  evidences, — the  agency  of  the 
Holy  Spirit,  in  the  regeneration  and  sanctification  of  believers ; 
— and  the  necessity  of  a  reneived  heart,  and  of  holiness  in  the 
life,  not  as  the  title  to  heaven,  but  as  a  meetness  for  its  enjoyment. 
These  are  fundamental  doctrines,  in  which  all  true  Christians, 
without  distinction  of  sect  or  party,  cordially  unite.  They  have 
been  the  food  of  the  church  of  God  in  all  ages — the  manna 
which  has  sustained  her  children  in  the  many  and  diversified 
scenes  of  human  trial  and  infirmity  ; — they  have  been  the  song 
of  their  pilgrimage — their  joy  in  tribulation — their  light  in  dark- 
ness, and  their  guide  to  life  and  immortality. 

In  addition  to  the  above-mentioned  doctrines,  Mr.  Richmond 
adopted  the  views  which  are  commonly  called  Calvinistic  ;  but 
not  in  that  offensive  sense  in  which  they  are  frequently,  though 
most  erroneously,  imputed.  It  is  not  the  intention  of  the  editor 
to  enter  here  on  the  Calvinistic  controversy  :  this  is  neither  the 
time  nor  the  place  for  such  a  discussion.  He  may  offer  a  still 
better  reason  for  his  silence— the  conviction  which  he  has  long 
entertained,  that  the  real  question  at  issue,  and  the  one  in  whic^i 
the  interests  of  true  religion  are  most  concerned,  is  not,  whether 
the  Articles  of  our  Church  and  the  sentiments  of  the  Reform- 
ers, be  more  or  less  Calvinistic  ;  but  whether  we  .^nritually 
understand,  and  cordially  embrace  those  fundamentat  principles, 
the  belief  of  which  is  indispensable  to  salvation,  and  to  the  well- 
being  of  every  Christian  community. 

These  principles  are  stated,  with  admirable  precision,  and 
strict  adherence  both  to  the  letter  and  spirit  of  the  Scriptures, 
in  the  9th,  10th,  11th,  12th,  and  13th  Articles  of  the  Church  of 
England,  and  must  ever  entitle  her  to  rank  among  the  purest  of 
the  reformed  churches.    Satisfied  with  the  principles  there  laid 


REV.  tF.GH  RICHMOND. 


81 


^own,  we  may  safely  allow  a  latitude  of  interpretation  on  points 
which  though  deemed  important  by  some,  are  not  maintained  by 
any  to  be  essential  to  salvation. 

The  following  analysis  of  Mr.  Richmond's  mode  of  preach- 
ing is  submitted  to  the  candid  consideration  of  those  persons 
who  have  fostered  prejudices  founded  on  error  and  misrepre- 
sentation ; — prejudices  not  wholly  unaccompanied  by  a  very 
culpable  ignorance,  and  which  charity  and  truth  must  alike 
lament  and  condemn. 

As  a  preacher  he  was  scriptural — experimenial — practical — 
comprehensive — powerful  in  his  appeals  to  the  conscience  and  ad- 
dresses to  the  heart — -full  of  pathos  and  interest. 

1.  He  tras  scriptural.  A  rich  vein  of  divine  truth  was  dif- 
fused through  his  sermons.  The  Law  and  the  Gospel  were 
clearly  and  distinctly  exhibited  in  all  their  characteristic  features, 
and  enforced  to  their  respective  ends.  JSo  doctrine  was  assert- 
ed which  was  not  proved  and  established  by  a  constant  appeal 
to  the  authority  of  Scripture,  with  the  contents  of  which  he  was 
femiliarly  acquainted.  No  man  can  become  a  sound  and  en- 
lightened divine,  who  does  not  give  his  days  and  nights  to  the 
study  of  the  Oracles  of  God,  accompanied  by  prayer  and  medi- 
tation. The  connexion  of  solid  piety  with  an  intimate  know- 
ledge of  the  Scriptures  is  indissoluble.  This  forms,  indeed,  the 
manual  of  every  Christian,  but  belongs  in  a  more  especial  de- 
gree to  the  minister  of  the  sanctuary.  It  is  the  armoury  whence 
he  must  draw  all  his  weapons  ; — it  is  the  treasury  whence  he  is 
to  be  supplied  with  every  motive  and  every  argument  which, 
through  the  grace  and  power  of  the  Holy  Spirit,  can  fix  convic- 
tion on  the  mind,  rouse  the  torpid  conscience,  excite  the  affec- 
tions of  the  heart,  and  elevate  the  soul  to  God.  It  is  the  scep- 
tre of  righteousness,  by  which  he  rules  and  guides  the  flock  ; — 
the  depository  of  every  promise  that  can  cheer  their  passage 
through  the  valley  of  the  shadow  of  death ;  and  by  it  they  are 
taught  the  new  song,  which  will  animate  their  praises  in  the  land 
of  their  inheritance — "  Worthy  is  the  Lamb  that  was  slain,  to 
receive  power,  and  riches,  and  wisdom,  and  strength,  and  ho~ 
nour,  and  glory,  and  blessing,  for  ever  and  ever.  Amen." 

Such  was  the  model  on  which  Mr.  Richmond  formed  his 
ministry.  He  did  not,  like  the  polished  but  flimsy  essayist  in 
divinity,  select  a  motto  to  head  a  discourse,  vague  and  inappro- 
priate ; — nor  did  he  encumber  his  expositions  with  an  unneces- 
sary parade  of  human  learning  ;  nor  seek  to  attract  admiration 
by  ingenious  subtleties,  or  wrest  the  Scripture  to  subserve  a 
system.    He  regarded  his  office  as  being  that  of  an  interpreters 


82  MFMOIRS  OP  THE 

and  his  aim  was,  with  simplicity  and  plainness,  to  unfold  the 
mind  of  God  in  Kis  word  ;  "  rightly  dividing  the  word  of  truth, 
and  giving  to  each  their  portion  of  meat  in  due  season." 

2.  He  was  experimental.  Divine  truth,  from  his  lips,  was  not  a 
cold,  speculative  statement ;  but  was  so  interwoven  with  all  the 
inward  experiences  of  the  human  heart,  as  peculiarly  to  promote 
the  edification  of  his  hearers.  He  could  appropriate  the  lan- 
guage of  the  Apostle,  and  say,  "  that  which  we  have  heard, 
which  we  have  seen  with  our  eyes,  which  we  have  looked  upon, 
and  our  hands  have  handled  of  the  word  of  life,  declare  we  unto 
you."  Fi^om  the  heart  he  preached  to  the  heart,  and  seemed  to 
enter  into  all  its  secret  recesses.  He  detected  the  illusions  by 
which  it  is  beguiled — he  traced  human  action  to  its  hidden 
springs — he  accompanied  the  soul  in  the  alternations  of  doubt 
and  hope,  of  fear  and  joy,  in  its  conflicts  with  despair  and  unbe- 
lief ;  till,  led  to  the  foot  of  the  cross,  it  was  able  to  repose  in 
the  promises  of  God, ^ and  realize  the  sweet  enjoyment  of  par- 
don and  peace. 

3.  He  was  practical.  He  did  not  preach  doctrine  without 
practice,  nor  practice  without  doctrine,  but  both  in  due  propor- 
tion, in  their  mutual  dependence,  connexion,  and  use.  He  con- 
nected precept  with  promise,  and  privilege  with  duty.  As  a 
spiritual  workman,  he  considered  doctrine  to  be  the  foundation, 
and  practice  the  superstructure  to  be  erected  upon  it ;  adopting 
the  sentiment  of  one  of  his  favourite  Reformers — "  truly  it  is 
said,  '  without  holiness  no  man  shall  see  the  Lord  but  this  I 
know,  without  the  Lord,  no  man  shall  see  holiness." 

4.  He  luas  comprehensive.  Christianity,  in  his  mode  of  exhi- 
biting it,  was  a  grand  and  comprehensive  whole  ;  while  the  sym- 
metry of  the  several  parts  was  faithfully  preserved.  He  did 
not  give  to  one  part  of  divine  truth  any  undue  preponderance 
over  another.  Each  truth  seemed  to  be  in  its  right  place,  and  in 
its  just  measure  and  proportion.  All  the  doctrines  and  all  the 
precepts — all  the  promises,  and  all  the  characters  to  whom  they 
are  made — all  the  privileges  and  all  the  duties,  were,  in  turn,  the 
theme  of  his  discourses.  It  is  this  beautiful  order,  and  harmo- 
nious combination  of  all  its  various  relations,  that  constitutes 
one  of  the  characteristic  features  of  a  Revelation  from  above. 
And  to  present  it  under  this  form  is  that  rare  talent  which  all 
should  endeavour  to  attain  ;  and,  when  attained,  it  forms,  so  far 
as  human  instrumentality  is  concerned,  the  grand  desideratum 
of  ministerial  preaching. 

The  well-informed  reader  will  easily  discern  the  old  divine  in 
in  this  mode  of  proceeding.    The  higtiest  Calvinist,  in  former 


REV.  LEGH  RICHMOND. 


83 


ilays,  took  in  the  whole  range  of  Christian  faith  and  practice. 
Usher,  and  others  of  the  supralapsarian  school,  were  as  minute 
and  particular  in  explaining  and  enforcing  the  law,  in  all  its 
ramifications,  as  they  were  full  and  glowing  in  setting  forth  the 
grace  of  the  Gospel ;  and  insisted  as  strenuously  on  the  neces- 
sity and  importance  of  good  works,  as  the  lowest  Arminian. 

5.  He  was  impressive  in  his  appeals  to  the  heart  and  con- 
science. No  man  better  understood  that  part  of  a  discourse 
which  consists  of  the  application.  Some  preachers  are  very  de- 
ficient in  this  respect ;  either  wholly  omitting  to  apply  their  sub- 
ject, or  for  the  most  part  failing  in  discrimination.  A  discourse, 
to  be  profitable,  must  come  home  to  our  own  case. 

Mr.  Richmond,  in  appealing  to  his  hearers,  was  faithful, 
searchino?,  forcible,  and  impressive.  "  He  reproved,  rebuked, 
exhorted,  with  all  long  suflfering  and  doctrine  ;"  but  his  exhorta- 
tions were  accompanied  by  the  most  affecting  displays  of  the 
mercy,  power,  and  grace  cf  God  in  the  gospel ;  and  while  his 
own  experience  of  the  truths  he  uttered,  gave  an  authority  and 
efficacy  to  his  words,  God  put  his  seal  to  the  testimony,  and 
crowned  his  labours  with  success. 

In  presenting  this  delineation  of  Mr.  Richmond's  mode  of 
preaching,  the  editor  feels  there  would  yet  be  something  want- 
ing, to  give  its  complete  character,  if  it  were  not  stated  more 
specifically,  that  the  Saviour,  in  his  various  offices  of  Prophet, 
Priest,  and  King,  was  the  grand  theme  of  Mr.  Richmond's 
ministrations.  His  excellence,  like  that  of  a  skilful  painter, 
consisted  in  so  arranging  all  the  subordinate  parts  of  his  picture, 
as  to  give  due  prominence  and  eflfect  to  the  principal  figure. 
Christ  Jesus  was  the  soul  of  all  his  discourses ;  and  every  pre- 
cept, every  promise,  derived  its  force  and  value  from  its  bearing 
and  relation  to  Him. 

A  style  of  preaching  like  this  must  be  allowed  to  be  singu- 
larly useful,  combining  all  that  is  important  and  requisite  in  a 
Christian  preacher.  His  ministry  possessed  two  pecuhar  excel- 
lencies,— it  was  too  practical  to  make  an  Antinomian,  and  too 
doctriflal  to  make  tne  mere  moralist.  Antinomianism  may  in- 
deed exist,  notwithstanding  the  utmost  precaution  of  the  preach- 
er ;  and  a  dependence  on  our  own  works  is  interwoven  with  the 
very  frame  of  our  corrupt  nature  ;  but  a  minister  is  only  then 
culpable,  when  his  mode  of  preaching  has  a  direct  tendency  to 
produce  either  the  one  or  the  other.  No  man  was  ever  more 
free  from  both  these  defects,  as  a  preacher,  nor  any  congrega- 
tion more  exempt  than  his  own  from  these  pernicious  errors. 
In  that  important  branch  of  Christian  theology  relating  to  faith 


34 


MEMOIRS  OF  THE 


and  works,  where  some  preachers  are  most  confused,  he  wav 
most  clear  and  scriptural.  He  laid  the  foundation  in  Christ 
alone,  and  in  faith  in  his  name  ; — a  faith  which  was  represented 
to  be  the  gift  of  God,  and  the  work  of  his  Spirit ;  living,  ener- 
getic, fruitful,  and  holy  ; — not  the  cause,  but  the  instrument  of 
salvation ;  and  he  taught,  that  good  works  were  themselves  the 
subjects  of  promise  {Micak  vii,  19;)  the  necessary  fruits  and 
evidences  of  faith,  but  not  the  meritorious  conditions,  in  whole 
or  in  part,  of  the  divine  favour.  It  may  be  thought,  that  where 
the  necessity  of  faith  and  good  works  is  equally  admitted,  dis- 
tinctions of  this  kind  need  not  be  pressed  with  so  much  earnest- 
ness ;  but  it  will  be  found,  that  the  right  understanding  of  these 
distinctions  involves  the  most  important  consequences.  It  is 
not  a  matter  of  small  moment,  whether  we  put  cause  for  effect^ 
or  attribute  to  our  own  imperfect  services  that  salvation,  which 
is  the  result  of  God's  free  grace  in  Christ  Jesus.  So  far  as 
our  own  doings  enter  into  the  meritorious  grounds  of  our  accept-  — 
ance,  they  destroy  the  character  of  the  gospel  as  a  dispensation 
of  gratuitous  mercy.  "  If  by  grace,  then  is  it  no  more  of 
works;  otherwise  grace  is  no  more  grace.  But  if  it  be  of 
works,  then  it  is  no  more  grace ;  otherwise  work  is  no  more 
work." — Rom.  xi.  6.  It  has  been  said,  that  the  poor,  who  con- 
stitute the  larger  part  of  a  congregation,  are  unable  to  compre- 
hend these  theological  subtleties,  which  ought  not,  therefore,  to 
form  a  part  of  ministerial  instruction.  We  cannot  better  meet 
this  objection,  than  by  a  reference  to  the  sentiments  of  Bishop 
Horsley  : — Pray  earnestly  to  God  to  assist  the  ministration  of 
the  word,  by  the  secret  influence  of  his  Holy  Spirit,  on  the 
minds  of  your  hearers  ;  and,  nothing  doubting  that  your  pray- 
ers are  heard,  however  mean  and  illiterate  the  congregation  may 
be,  in  which  you  exercise  your  sacred  functions,  fear  not  to  set 
before  them  the  whole  counsel  of  God.  Open  the  whole  of  your 
message  ivithout  reservation  ;  that  every  one  of  you  may  have 
confidence  to  say,  when  he  shall  be  called  upon  to  give  an  ac- 
count of  his  stewardship,  '  Lord,  I  have  not  hid  thy  righteous- 
ness within  my  heart ;  I  have  not  concealed  thy  loving-kindness 
and  truth  from  the  great  congregation.'  "*  We  will  merely  add 
to  this  testimony,  that  the  doctrines  of  grace  are  often  better 
understood  by  the  poor  and  illiterate,  than  by  the  rich  and  the 
wise.  "  I  thank  thee,  0  Father,  Lord  of  heaveri  and  earth, 
because  thou  hast  hid  these  things  from  the  wise  and  prudent. 
*ind  hast  revealed  them  unto  babes." — Matt.  xi.  25.   The  cross 

+  See  Charges  of  Bishop  Horsley,  p,  16, 


REV.  LEGH  RICHMO^N'D. 


85 


©f  Christ,  which  is  declared  to  be,  "  to  the  Jews  a  stumbUng- 
block,  and  to  the  Greeks  fooHshness,"  is  to  them  that  beUeve 

the  power  of  God,  and  the  wisdom  of  God." — 1  Cor.  i.  24. 
The  reception  of  divine  truth  demands  not  human  learning,  but 
poverty  and  humiliation  of  spirit.  The  learned  are  required  to 
become  as  fools,  and  to  enter  the  kingdom  of  heaven  as  httle 
children.  While  to  learning  is  reserved  the  honour  of  defending 
the  outworks  of  religion,  it  is  the  happy  privilege  of  none  but  the 
meek  and  lowly,  whether  learned  or  unlearned,  wise  or  ignorant, 
rich  or  poor,  to  enter  in  and  be  saved. 

After  these  extended  remarks  on  3Ir.  Richmond's  mode  of 
preaching,  which  the  importance  of  the  subject  seems  to  justi- 
fy, we  mav  now  be  permitted  to  ask,  how  are  we  to  account  for 
that  prevalent  disposition  to  represent  ministers  of  Mr.  Rich- 
mond's sentiments  as  preaching  about  nothing  but  exterminating 
decrees,  predestination,  election,  and  reprobation ;  and  inces- 
santly occupied  in  proclaiming  doctrines  without  practice,  a 
God  without  love,  and  a  faith  without  morality  1  Surely,  it  is 
time  to  awake  from  this  illusion,  which  first  creates  a  phantom, 
then  combats  it,  and  afterwards  gains  an  imaginary  triumph 
over  a  no  less  imaginary  opponent.  Men  should  not  be 
charged  with  consequences  which  they  disavow  :  much  less  be 
accused  at  one  moment  of  relaxing  ail  the  obligations  of  moral 
virtue,  and  at  the  next  of  enforcing  them  beyond  the  bounds  of 
reasonable  strictness.  If,  by  the  above  language,  it  is  meant 
to  attach  the  charge  of  high  Calvinism  to  that  portion  of  the 
clergy,  who  are  here  intended  to  be  specified,  high  Calvinism  is 
most  unequivocally  not  the  prevailing  creed  of  those  to  whom 
the  term  is  often  so  indiscriminately  and  ignorantly  applied. 
Many  are  known  to  disclaim  the  title  of  Calvinist  altogether. 
Few,  very  few  are  disposed  to  climb  its  Alpine  heights  ;  and 
the  general  persuasion  seems  to  be,  that  in  the  construction  of 
the  doctrinal  articles  of  our  church,  there  is  a  sufficient  ap- 
proximation of  sentiment  to  prove  a  resemblance  to  the  views 
of  Calvin,  and  yet  a  sufficient  distinction  to  shew  that  there  is 
not  an  identity.  Party  names  of  any  kind  are  highly  objec- 
tionable and  offensive  in  a  cause  so  sacred  as  that  of  religion, 
because  they  seem  to  give  to  erring  man  the  honour  and  pre- 
eminence that  belongs  to  God  alone.  "  Be  not  ye  called  Rab- 
bi, for  one  is  your  Master,  even  Christ,  and  all  ye  are  brethren : 
Call  no  man  your  father  upon  the  earth,  for  one  is  your  Father 
which  is  in  heaven  :  Neither  be  ye  called  masters,  for  one  is 
your  Master,  even  Christ." — Matt,  xxiii.  6 — 10. 

But  if  a  term  be  employed  to  designate  the  religious  creed  of 


86 


MEMOIRS  or  THE 


the  clergy  in  question,  that  of  modified  Calvinism  is,  perhaps, 
the  most  appropriate.  They  conceive  the  Reformers,  in  the 
composition  of  the  articles,  to  have  discovered  that  happy  me- 
dium of  doctrine,  which  is  free  from  objectionable  extremes, 
which  gives  to  grace  its  freeness,  and  to  man  the  responsibility 
belonging  to  a  moral  agent ;  and  while  it  ascribes  to  God  all 
the  glory  of  salvation,  charges  the  sinner  with  the  guilt  of  his 
own  condemnation.  The  sentiments  of  that  distinguished  Pre- 
late whom  we  have  already  quoted,  are,  on  this  subject,  enti- 
tled to  notice.  "  It  has  been  the  fashion,"  he  remarks,  "  of 
late,  to  talk  of  Arminianism  as  the  system  of  the  Church  of 
England,  and  of  Calvinism  as  something  opposite  to  it,  to 
which  the  church  is  hostile.  That  I  may  not  be  misunderstood 
in  what  I  have  said,  or  may  have  occasion  farther  to  say  upon 
this  subject,  I  must  here  declare,  that  I  use  the  words  Armini- 
anism and  Calvinism  in  that  restricted  sense  in  which  they  are 
generally  taken, — to  denote  the  doctrinal  part  of  each  system, 
as  unconnected  with  the  principles  either  of  Arminians  or  Cal- 
vinists,  upon  church  discipline  and  church  government.  This 
being  premised,  I  assert,  what  I  have  often  before  asserted,  and 
by  God's  grace  I  will  persist  in  the  assertion  to  my  dying  day, 
that  so  far  is  it  from  the  truth,  that  the  Church  of  England  is 
decidedly  Arminian,  and  hostile  to  Calvinism,  that  the  truth  is 
this — that  upon  the  principal  points  in  dispute  between  the  Ar- 
minians and  the  Calvinists — upon  all  the  points  of  doctrine 
characteristic  of  the  two  sects,  the  Church  of  England  main- 
tains an  absolute  neutrahty;  her  articles  explicitly  assert  no- 
thing but  wbat  is  believed  both  by  Arminians  and  Calvinists. 
The  Calvinists,  indeed,  hold  some  opinions  relative  to  the 
same  points,  which  the  Church  of  England  has  not  gone  the 
lengtii  of  asserting  in  her  articles  ;  but  neither  has  she  gone  the 
length  of  explicitly  contradicting  those  opinions ;  insomuch, 
that  there  is  nothing  to  hinder  the  Arminian  and  the  highest  su- 
pralapsarian  Calvinist  from  walking  together  in  the  Church  of 
England  and  Ireland  as  friends  and  brothers,  if  they  both  ap- 
prove the  discipline  of  the  church,  and  both  are  willing  to  sub- 
mit to  it.  Her  discipline  has  been  approved — it  has  been  sub- 
mitted to— it  has  been  in  former  times  most  ably  and  zealously 
defended  by  the  highest  supralapsarian  Calvinists.  Such  was 
the  great  Usher;  such  was  Whitgift ;  such  were  many  more  ; — 
burning  and  shining  hghts  of  our  church  in  her  early  days  (when 
first  she  shook  off  the  papal  tyranny,)  long  since  gone  to  the 
resting-place  of  the  spirits  of  the  just."* 
*  CJrarges,  p.  216—218. 


EEV.  LEGH  Richmond. 


8? 


It',  by  the  charge  of  holding  "  a  faith  without  morality,"  it  is 
intended  to  arraign  the  doctrine  of  justification  by  faith,  are 
those  who  make  this  charge  aware  that  they  are  impugning  one 
of  the  articles  of  their  own  church,  which  expressly  asserts 
this  doctrine  ? — That  it  is  illustrated  at  large,  as  we  have  al- 
ready proved,  in  the  book  of  Homilies  1 — That  it  forms  a  cha- 
racteristic ground  of  distinction  between  the  Protestant  and 
Romish  churches  ;  and  is  one  of  the  fundamental  principles  of 
Christianity  itself  ?  Once  more  let  us  appeal  to  the  authority 
of  Bishop  Horsley  : — "  That  man  is  justified  by  faith,  without 
the  works  of  the  law,  was  the  uniform  doctrine  of  the  first  Re- 
formers. It  is  afar  more  ancient  doctrine, — it  was  the  doctrine 
of  the  whole  college  of  apostles.  It  is  more  ancient  still, — it 
was  the  doctrine  of  the  prophets.  It  is  older  than  the  prophets, 
— it  was  the  rehgion  of  the  patriarchs."* 

Nor  can  we  omit  the  insertion  of  the  following  admonitory 
hint  from  the  same  quarter  : — "  Take  special  care,"  says  that 
distinguished  prelate,  "before  you  aim  your  shafts  at  Calvinism, 
that  you  know  what  is  Calvinism,  and  what  is  not ; — that,  in  that 
mass  of  doctrine,  which  it  is  of  late  become  the  fashion  to  abuse, 
under  the  name  of  Calvinism,  you  can  distinguish  with  certainty 
between  that  part  of  it  which  is  nothing  better  than  Calvinism  ; 
and  that  which  belongs  to  our  common  Christianity,  and  the 
general  faith  of  the  reformed  churches  :  lest,  when  you  mean 
only  to  fall  foul  of  Calvinism,  you  should,  unwarily,  attack 
something  more  sacred,  and  of  higher  origin."! 

After  this  almost  involuntary  allusion  to  polemical  divinity, 
but  which  the  nature  of  the  subject,  and  the  peculiar  circum- 
stances of  our  own  church,  seemed  to  render  unavoidable,  we 
cannot  clo^e  this  chapter  without  a- few  reflections. 

It  may  check  the  pride  and  asperity  of  religious  controversy, 
•to  remember  that  amidst  the  various  attempts  to  unite  mankind, 
at  different  periods,  within  the  bounds  of  one  common  uniformity 
-of  opinion,  whether  under  the  name  of  Luther,  Calvin,  or  Armi- 
nius,  or  under  the  various  subdivisions  of  the  present  day  ;  all 
Iiave  alike  failed  in  the  estabhshment  of  an  universal  standard. 
Bttt  it  well  deserves  our  notice,  that,  while  each  denomination 
claims  a  preference  for  its  own  peculiarities,  God  has  given  his 
filessing  to  all,  wherever  their  aim  has  been  holy,  their  efforts 
earnest,  and  the  essential  truths  of  Christianity  have  not  been 
violated. 


*  Charges,  p.  3.^. 


t  Charges,  p.  22(5^. 


B8 


MEMOIRS  OP  THE 


Where,  then,  God  withholds  not  his  blessing,  man  must  not 
withhold  his  charity;  and  though  union  cannot  exist  without  the  es- 
sentials of  religion,  which  are — faith  in  Christ,  and  a  conformity  to 
his  image,  in  a  renewed  heart  and  holy  life — if  these  be  secured, 
the  union  is  not  only  practicable,  but  a  necessary  consequence : 
for,  if  we  are  members  of  Christ,  we  are  members  one  of  an- 
other. The  more  we  imbibe  the  genuine  spirit  of  Christianity, 
which  is  a  spirit  of  love,  the  more  shall  we  be  divested  of  the 
shackles  of  party  distinction ;  and  be  convinced,  that  the  reli- 
gion which  is  from  above,  is  a  religion,  not  of  names,  but  of 
principles ;  not  of  forms,  but  of  realities ;  not  "  the  letter, 
which  killeth,  but  the  spirit,  which  giveth  life."  "  God  is  love  ; 
and  he  that  dwelleth  m  love,  dwelleth  in  God,  and  God  in  him." 
— 1  Johji  iv.  16.  "The  spirit  of  Christianity  is  Christianity.  If 
this  be  wanting,  the  glory  is  departed,  and  nothing  remains 
worth  contending  for."* 


CHAPTER  VIII. 

His  talent  for  extempore  preaching — authority  and  expediency  of 
this  mode  consider edr-^Family  letters — Commencement  of  the 
editor^ s  acquaintance  with  him — Public  institutions — Vindica- 
tion of  their  character^  necessity,,  and  usefulness. 

The  principles  on  which  Mr.  Richmond  formed  his  ministry 
have  been  laid  before  the  reader  in  the  preceding  chapter ;  in  which 
were  stated,  both  the  scriptural  nature  of  his  doctrines,  and 
the  impressive  manner  of  his  delivery.  He  never  failed  to 
attract  a  crowded  congregation,  and  seldom  preached  without 
the  most  decided  proofs  of  a  divine  power  accompanying  his 
ministrations.  He  also  possessed  many  natural  endowments, 
which  in  no  small  degree  contributed  to  his  success.  He  was 
an  eloquent  speaker ;  but  his  eloquence  was  not  laboured  and 
artificial — it  was  the  simple  and  glowing  expression  of  a  mind 
deeply  impressed  with  ihe  importance  of  his  subject,  full  of  affec- 
tion, and  intent  on  imparting  the  same  feelings  to  those  who 
heard  him. 

He  used  to  refer  his  friends,  who  conversed  with  him  on  the 
subject  of  preaching,  to  the  advice  of  his  college  tutor  :  "  Don't- 
use  terms  of  science.  The  people  have  no  abstract  ideas — 
they  cannot  understand  comparisons  and  allusions  remote  from 


♦  See  Cecil's  Remains. 


REV.  LEGH  RICHMOND. 


89 


ill  their  habits.  Take  words  of  Saxon  derivation,  and  not  such 
as  are  derived  from  Latin  and  Greek.  Talk  of  riches,  not 
afflxience — of  trust,  not  confidence.  Present  the  same  idea  in 
;i  varied  form,  and  take  care  you  understand  the  subject  yourself, 
tf  you  be  intelligent,  you  will  be  intelhgible." 

Mr.  Richmond's  successful  application  of  these  useful  rules 
is  well  known  to  all  who  had  opportunity  of  hearing  his  sermons. 
Though  never  offensively  colloquial,  he  was  well  understood  by 
the  most  illiterate  of  his  congregation  ;  nor  was  he  satisfied  till 
he  had  explained  an  idea  in  every  possible  variety  and  pomt  of 
view.  On  this  account,  he  sometimes  seemed,  to  persons  unac- 
quainted with  his  design,  to  employ  a  needless  number  of  words, 
it  was  once  pleasantly  said,  by  one  who  heard  him — "  An  excel- 
lent sermon,  but  with  too  many  various  readings." 

He  was  al.-o  singularly  felicitous  in  imparting  interest  to  what, 
in  familiar  phraseology,  is  called  a  dry  subject.  He  was  once 
known  to  preach  an  hour  and  three  quarters,*  on  the  incidental 
evidences  of  Christianity.  On  this  occasion  it  was  said,  by  a 
sensible  man  who  heard  him — "  This  is  indeed  a  magnificent 
sermon !  I  always  thought  Mr.  Richmond  a  good  man,  but  I 
now  know  him  to  be  a  great  man." 

Mr.  Richmond,  as  we  have  before  noticed,  possessed  a  fine 
taste,  and  an  almost  enthusiastic  admiration  of  the  beauties  of 
nature.  From  these  he  often  selected  illustrations,  and  embel- 
lished his  subject  with  allusions  to  them.  He  used  to  say, 
^'  There  are  three  books  to  be  studied — the  book  of  creation, 
the  book  of  providence,  and  the  book  of  grace.  They  confirm 
and  illustrate  each  other." 

These  natural  talents  were  consecrated  to  the  service  of  reli- 
i^ion,  and  gave  an  interest  to  his  preaching,  equalled  by  few,  and 
xcelled  by  none. 

The  editor  would  not  be  supposed,  by  these  remarks,  to  lose 
sight  of  the  influence  of  the  Holy  Spirit,  without  whom  "  nothing 
is  strong,  nothing  is  holy."  He  knows  that  "  the  Gospel  is  a 
mighty  engine,  but  only  mighty  when  God  has  the  working  of 
it."|  Yet  is  it  most  evident,  that  God  is  pleased  to  make  hu- 
man agency,  the  natural  endowments  and  temperaments,  as 

*  This  sermon  was  one  of  a  course  of  lectures  on  the  evidences  of  Chris- 
tianity, preached  at  Olney,  by  tlie  neighbouring  clergy.  Mr.  Richmond  took 
his  plan  from  the  "Horae  Paulina;,"  and  applied  Dr.  Paley's  principle  to 
every  book  of  Holy  Scripture,  with  great  ingenuity,  and  success.  It  is  much 
to  be  regretted  that  nothing  remains  of  the  sermon,  except  a  few  short  heads  ol' 
discourse,  used  by  Mr.  Richmond  at  the  time  of  preaching. 

t  Adams'  Private  Thoughts. 


MEMOIRS  OP  THE 


well  as  the  graces  of  his  servants,  subserve  his  purposes  ;  and 
in  the  selection  of  instruments,  there  is  always  a  peculiar  fitness 
for  the  work  in  which  he  employs  them. 

The  effect  of  Mr.  Richmond's  ministry  was  also  considerably 
heightened,  by  the  fluency  of  his  addresses.  He  adopted  a 
method  of  preaching  usually  called  extempore ;  without  preme- 
ditation, as  to  the  words  of  a  sermon,  but  not  to  the  exclusion 
of  much  previous  prayer,  and  labour  in  the  arrangement  of  its 
materials.  "  It  is  a  singular  circumstance,"  observes  a  friend 
of  his  early  life,  "  that  his  first  attempt  to  preach  extempore,  in 
the  very  small  church  of  Yaverland,  in  the  Isle  of  Wight,  was 
a  total  failure.  He  was  so  ashamed  of  it,  that  he  declared  he 
would  not  repeat  the  attempt ;  and  it  was  only  in  consequence 
of  the  urgent  solicitations  of  ■  our  common  friend,  the  Rev. 
Charles  Hoyle,  that  he  was  induced  to  make  a  second  trial, 
when  he  succeeded  beyond  his  hopes,  and  never  afterwards 
found  any  difficulty." 

As  a  proof  of  the  eminence  to  which  he  afterwards  attained, 
we  venture  to  introduce  another  anecdote. 

The  late  Mr.  W  hitbread  went  to  hear  him  preach  at  St.  PauFs, 
Bedford,  in  the  year  1807,  accompanied  by  a  friend,  who  had 
expressed  an  earnest  wish  to  be  present.  The  church  was  re- 
markably crowded — the  preacher  animated — and  the  interest  of 
the  congregation  stron^jly  excited.  The  gentleman  above  allu- 
ded to  at  length  observed  :  "  He  has  now  preached  with  incre- 
dible fluency,  both  as  to  matter  and  language,  for  three  quarters 
of  an  hour,  and  he  does  not  seem  even  yet  to  be  exhausted,  or 
to  be  drawing  to  a  close."  "  Exhausted  !"  replied  Mr.  Whit- 
bread  :  "he  can  hold  on,  in  the  same  way,  if  necessary,  for  two 
or  three  hours  longer." 

We  avail  ourselves  of  this  occasion,  to  offer  a  few  remarks  on 
the  subject  of  extempore  preaching. 

This  mode  of  address,  which  has  considerably  prevailed  du- 
ring the  last  twenty  or  thirty  years,  however  acceptable  to  some, 
is  known  to  excite  strong  prejudices  in  the  minds  of  others.  It 
is  considered  as  an  irregular  and  unauthorized  practice  ;  incapa- 
ble of  that  well-digested  arrangement,  which  ought  to  charac- 
terize a  discourse  from  the  pulpit  ;  and  as  derogating  from  the 
dignity  of  the  ministers  of  the  Established  Church.  But  this 
objection  regards  the  execution  rather  than  the  principle  itself ; 
and  it  is  the  legitimacy,  suitableness,  and  efficiency  of  this  prac- 
tice, rightly  and  fully  improved,  which  forms  the  proper  subject 
for  consideration.  Its  legitimacy  will  most  probably  be  thought 
by  many  to  be  the  vulnerable  part  of  the  question ;  while  the 


REV.  LEGH  RICHMOND. 


91 


ubsence  of  the  practice  amongst  tlie  constituted  guardians  of 
our  church,  who  are  supposed  to  be  the  proper  standards  for  our 
imitation,  will  no  doubt  be  appealed  to,  as  furnishing  conclusive 
evidence  against  it.  With  regard  to  its  authority,  we  insert 
the  following  Mandate,  addressed  by  King  Charles  II.  to  the 
university  of  Cambridge  : 

Yice  Chancellor,  and  Gentlemen, 

'*  Whereas  his  Majesty  is  informed,  that  the  practice  of  read- 
ing sermons  is  generally  taken  up  by  the  preachers  before  the 
University,  and  therefore  continues  even  before  himself;  his 
Majesty  hath  commanded  me  to  signify  to  you  his  pleasure,  that 
the  said  practice,  which  took  its  beginning  from  the  disorders  of 
the  late  times,  be  wh  )lly  laid  aside ;  and  that  the  said  preachers 
deliver  their  sermons,  both  in  Latin  and  English,  by  memory, 
without  book ;  as  being  a  way  of  preaching  which  his  Majesty 
jud2:eth  most  agreeable  to  the  use  of  foreign  churches — to  the 
custom  of  the  University  heretofore — a7id  to  the  nature  of  that 
holy  exercise.  And,  that  his  Majesty's  commands  in  these  pre- 
mises may  be  duly  regarded  and  observed,  his  further  pleasure 
is,  that  the  names  of  all  such  ecclesiastical  persons  as  shall  con- 
tinue the  present  supine  and  slotliful  way  of  preaching,  be,  from 
time  to  time,  signified  to  me,  by  the  Vice  Chancellor  for  the  time 
being,  on  pain  of  his  Majesty's  displeasure.* 

Monmouth. 

"  Oc«.8,  1674." 

This  document,  which  bears  the  stamp  of  royal  authority,  is 
sufficient  to  remove  the  charge  of  innovation  :  and  so  far  from 
extempore  preaching  being,  as  is  commonly  supposed,  the  ex- 
ception to  the  general  rule,  written  sermons  on  the  contrary, 
are  a  departure  from  the  original  practice ;  for  prior  to  the  time 
of  Charles  I.,  extempore  preaching  was  the  usual  mode  of  ad- 
dress from"  the  pulpit,  and  the  deviation  from  this  custom  is  here 
considered  to  be  a  declension  from  the  zeal  of  former  times, 
and  to  have  had  its  source  in  supineness  and  sloth.  A  reference 
to  Fox's  Book  of  Martyrs  plainly  shews  the  practice  of  the  Re- 
formers. 

In  the  life  of  Bishop  Latimer  we  are  told,  "  he  spoke  with 
great  freedom ;  and  it  not  then  being  the  custom  for  the  clergy 
to  write  down  their  sermons,  and  read  them,  as  they  do  now,  to 
the  people,  what  he  spoke  on  a  subject  was  full  of  sincerity,  and 

*  See  Statute  Book  of  the  University  of  Cambridge,  p.  301.    Car.  II.,  Rex 


92 


MEMOIRS  OP  THE 


flowed  immediately  and  directly  from  the  heart."*  With  rc-' 
spect  to  the  usage  of  foreign  churches,  the  writer  can  declare 
from  personal  observation,  that  neither  in  the  Romish,  Lutheran, 
or  Reformed  Churches;  neither  in  France,  the  Netherlands, 
Switzerland,  or  Germany,  does  the  practice  of  using  written  ser- 
mons generally  prevail ;  and  it  is  a  fact  no  less  extraordinary 
than  true,  that  England  is  the  only  country  where  it  is  known  to 
be  established.  If  again  we  argue  as  to  the  suitableness  and  ef- 
ficiency of  extemporaneous  addresses,  we  might  appeal  t(»  the 
powerful  effect  produced  by  them,  both  in  the  senate  and  at  the 
bar.  How  could  a  Pitt,  a  Fox,  a  Burke,  and  a  Sheridan  in  the 
one,  and  an  Erskine  in  the  other,  have  rivalled  the  orators  of 
Greece  and  Rome,  if  the  energies  of  their  minds  had  been  im- 
peded by  the  restraints  and  forms  of  written  compositions?  And 
shall  the  divine  and  nobler  cause  of  religion,  which  extends  to 
the  immortal  destinies  of  men,  be  thought  less  worthy  of  the 
subhmest  efforts  of  the  mind,  and  the  most  intense  application 
of  its  powers  1  Has  not  the  preacher  of  righteousness  mate- 
rials of  a  more  ample  range,  and  a  greater  stimulus  to  vigorous 
exertion  than  the  advocate  of  a  cause  which  affects  only  the  in-* 
terests  of  the  present  moment?  ^  But  it  may  be  objected,  are  all 
qualified  to  exercise  this  talent?  We  answer,  let  men  be  raised 
to  the  grandeur  of  the  subject,  instead  of  the  grandeur  of  the 
subject  being  lowered  to  the  level  of  the  men, — let  means  be 
adopted  to  give  more  of  a  moral  elevation  to  the  education, 
principles,  habits,  and  lives  of  the  clergy ;  let  doctrine  be  puri- 
fied of  its  errors,  and  the  ambassadors  of  Christ  be  more  ab- 
stracted from  the  contagious  influence  of  secular  occupations, 
and  the  deadening  effect  of  too  much  worldly  intercourse — let 
the  influences  of  divine  grace  be  invoked  to  descend  with  their 
powerful  energy  on  the  heart,  and  We  shall  soon  find  that  preach- 
ing, whether  extemporaneous  or  otherwise,  will  answer  all  the 
purposes  of  its  institution,  and  religion  regain  its  erppire  over 
the  soul  of  man. 

We  now  subjoin  some  important  authorities  to  sanction  this 
practice. 

We  quote  the  following  from  the  life  of  Bishop  Bull,  formerly 
the  learned  and  pious  bishop  of  St.  David's. 

"  It  was  but  seldom,  and  that  upon  some  extraordinary  occa- 
sions, that  he  composed  his  sermon  entire,  and  committed  it  to 
writing  ;  which  is  the  reason  that  he  has  left  so  few  finished 
discourses  behind  him.    His  usual  method  was,  after  the  choice 


*  See  Latimer's  Sermons,  2  vols.  8ro.,  1758. 


REV.  LEGH  RICHMOND. 


93 


of  his  text,  to  mark  some  words  that  were  to  be  explained,  in 
©rder  to  give  the  true  sense  of  that  portion  of  Scripture  he  had 
chosen  to  treat  upon ;  and  then  he  writ  down  some  observations 
which  flowed  naturally  from  the  subject;  and,  under  each  ob- 
servation, hints  to  illustrate  it.  and  texts  of  Scripture  proper  to 
be  explained,  in  order  to  give  light  to  it ;  and  then  drew  infe- 
rences from  his  whole  discourse,  by  way  of  application.  Thus 
he  had  only  the  scheme  of  his  semwn  before  him  in  writing; 
and  having  in  thi:*  manner  secured  the  substance  of  it,  he  did, 
by  custom  and  practice,  bring  himself  to  a  great  readiness  and 
fluency  expressing  himself  upon  all  subjects ;  and  if  this  man- 
ner of  preaching  wanted  the  exactness  of  more  studied  compo- 
sures, it  had  the  advantage  of  that  popular  style,  which  by  good 
judges  has  been  thought  the  fittest  for  the  pulpit ;  from  whence, 
if  men  design  to  mfluence  and  persuade  the  generality  of  their 
hearers,  they  must  condescend  to  use  more  words  than  are  ne- 
cessary in  a  strict  sense ;  the  same  thing  must  be  repeated  of- 
ten, and  turned  after  a  different  manner,  and  inculcated  with 
force,  so  that  fresh  and  lasting  impressions  may  be  made  upon 
Hie  audience.  What  Mr.  Bull  delivered  of  this  kind  never 
wanted  a  becoming  fervour ;  and  he  enhvened  his  discourses 
with  proper  and  decent  gestures  ;  and  his  voice  was  always  ex- 
erted with  some  vehemency,  whereby  he  kept  the  audience 
awake,  and  raised  their  attention  to  what  he  delivered,  and  per- 
suaded the  people  that  he  was  in  earnest,  and  affected  himself 
with  what  he  recommended  to  others.  By  these  means  he  la- 
^boured  many  years  in  teaching  the  ignorant,  in  confirming  the 
weak,  in  quieting  the  scrupulous,  in  softening  the  hard  heart,  in 
rousing  the  sinner,  and  in  raising  the  pious  soul  to  a  steady  and 
vigorous  pursuit  of  eternal  happiness.  And  whatever  he  deli- 
vered, his  words  were  generally  fixed  in  the  minds  of  his  hearers, 
■<is  they  parted  from  his  own,  full  of  warmth  and  heat."* 

The  next  authority  is  from  Archbishop  Seeker. 

"  There  is  a  middle  way  used  by  our  predecessors,  of  setting 
down,  in  short  notes,  the  method  and  principal  heads,  and  en- 
larging on  them  in  such  words  as  present  themselves  at  the  time. 
Perhaps,  duly  managed,  this  would  be  the  best." 

The  example  of  Bishop  Burnet  may  also  be  adduced  ;  and 
in  his  well-known  work,  entitled,  "  The  Pastoral  Care,"  many 
directions  are  given  for  attaining  a  proficiency  in  this  practice, 
from  wliich  we  quote  the  following  for  its  excellency  and  im- 
portance. 

*  Nelson's  Life  of  Dr.  George  Bull,  Lord  Bishop  of  St.  David's,  p.  59. 

9 


94 


MEMOIRS  OF  THE 


"  But  the  rule  I  have  reserved  last,  is  the  most  necessary  of 
all,  and  without  it  all  the  rest  will  never  do  the  business ;  it  is 
this,  that  a  man  must  kave  in  himself  a  deep  sense  of  the  truth 
and  power  of  relii:ion  ;  he  must  have  a  life  and  flame  in  his 
thoughts,  with  relation  t<»  those  subjects  :  he  must  have  felt  in 
himself  those  things  which  he  intends  to  explain  and  recommend 
to  others.  He  must  observe  narrowly  the  motions  of  his  own 
mind,  the  good  and  bad  effects  that  the  several  sorts  of  objects 
he  has  before  him,  and  aifections  he  feels  within  him,  have  upon 
him  ;  that  s<;  he  may  have  a  lively  heat  in  himself,  when  he 
speaks  of  them  ;  and  that  he  may  speak  in  so  sensible  a  manner, 
that  it  may  almost  felt  that  he  speaks  from  his  heart.  There 
is  an  authority  in  the  simplest  things  that  can  be  said,  when  they 
carry  visible  characters  of  genuineness  in  them.  Now,  if  a 
man  can  carry  on  this  method,  and  by  much  meditation  and 
prayer  draw  down  divine  influences,  which  are  always  to  be  ex- 
pected when  a  man  puts  himself  in  the  way  of  them,  and  pre- 
pares himself  for  them  ;  he  will  often  feel,  that  while  he  is  mu- 
sing, a  fire  is  kindled  within  him,  and  then  he  will  speak  with 
authority  and  without  constraint  ;  his  thoughts  will  be  true,  and 
his  expressions  free  and  easy ;  sometimes  this  fire  will  carry 
him,  as  it  were,  out  of  himself;  and  yet  without  any  thing  that 
is  frantic  or  enthusiastical.  Discourses  brought  forth  with  a 
lively  spirit  and  heat,  where  a  composed  gesture,  and  the  proper 
motions  of  the  eye  and  countenance,  and  the  due  modulations 
of  the  voice  concur,  will  have  all  the  effect  that  can  be  expected 
from  any  thing  that  is  below  immediate  inspiration  :  and  as  this 
will  be  of  use  to  the  hearers,  so  it  will  be  of  vast  use  to  the 
preacher  himself,  to  oblige  him  to  keep  his  heart  always  in  good 
tune  and  temper  :  not  to  suffer  irregular  or  forbidden  appetites, 
passions,  or  projects  to  possess  his  mind  :  these  will  both  divert 
him  from  going  on  in  the  course  of  meditation,  in  which  a  man 
must  continue  many  years,  till  all  his  thoughts  are  put  in  order, 
polished,  and  fixed  ;  they  will  make  him  likewise  speak  much 
against  the  grain,  with  an  aversion  that  will  be  very  sensible  to 
himself,  if  not  to  his  hearers,  if  he  has  guilt  upon  him,  if  his 
conscience  is  reproaching  him,  and  if  any  ill  practices  are  putting 
a  damp  upon  that  good  sense  of  things,  that  makes  his  thoughts 
sparkle  upon  other  occasions,  and  gives  him  an  air  and  authority, 
a  tone  of  assurance,  and  a  freedom  of  expression. 

*'  Such  a  method  as  I  have  been  opening,  has  had  great  success 
with  all  those  that  I  have  known  to  have  tried  it.  And  though 
every  one  has  not  swiftness  of  imagination,  nor  that  clearness 
of  expression  that  others  may  have,  so  that  in  this  men  may 


REV.  LFGH  RICHMOND. 


95 


differ  as  much  as  they  do  in  their  written  compositions  ;  yet 
evei-y  man  by  this  method  may  rise  far  above  that  which  he  could 
ever  have  attained  to  any  other  way.'''* 

We  now  leave  this  subjet  t  to  the  decit^ion  of  the  reader. 
Enough  has  been  said  to  prove  that  the  (  hurch  of  England,  ia 
her  best  days — in  those  of  the  Reformation — and  downwards 
to  the  time  of  Charles  I.,  adopted  extempore  preaching  ;  and 
that  the  use  of  written  sermons  is  coeval  with  the  period  marked 
by  the  first  symptoms  of  a  declension  both  in  zeal  and  doctrine  ; 
we  are  therefore  justified  in  expec^in^  that  a  revival  of  pure  re- 
hgion  will  be  accompanied  with  a  return  to  this  practice,  as  most 
suited  to  produce  a  powerful  effect,  and  most  m  unison  with  the 
example  of  Protestant  Europe.  To  those  of  the  clergy  who 
may  feel  inclined  to  make  the  attempt,  we  particularly  recom- 
mend Burnet's  remark,  who  advises  them  to  iv.nke  smaller  ex- 
cursions, before  they  indulge  in  a  wider  ranije  Perhaps  in  iew 
cases  would  it  be  expedient  for  a  yMung  man  tf>  c<  mnience  his 
ministry  with  extempore  preaching,  which  requires  much  previ- 
ous knowledge  of  divine  truth.,  inward  experience  of  it.-;  power^ 
enlarged  views  and  tacility  t..  express  them.  Time  and  experi- 
ence is  necessary  to  form  and  mature  a  talent  of  this  kind,  as 
well  as  to  provide  suitable  materials  for  its  profitable  exercise. 
A  preacher  will  soon  exhaust  his  resources,  without  a  c(mstant 
influx  of  new  supplies  ;  and  repetition,  feebleness,  and  barren- 
ness of  thought  will  take  the  place  of  that  varied  and  powerful 
exhibition  of  divine  truth  so  essential  to  the  success  of  the  mi- 
nistry. Notwithstanding  our  preference  for  extempore  preach- 
ing, we  are  not  insensible  to  the  defects  to  which  it  is  hable. 
There  is  a  danger  of  neglecting  due  preparation,  of  substituting 
fluency  of  language  for  solidity  of  thought.  If  there  is  a  defi- 
ciency of  taste  in  the  preacher,  he  may  degenerate  into  a  style 
too  colloquial,  and  his  ideas  and  images  may  be  unsuitable  to  the 
dignity  of  the  nulpit. 

The  old  divines  are  no  less  worthy  of  imitation  for  the  dili- 
gence they  used  in  preparino;  their  discourses,  than  in  the  sound- 
ness of  the  doctrines  they  ta'ight.  ;  hey  placed  no  sacrifice  on 
the  altar  without  invoking  fire  from  heaven  to  descend  and  con- 
sume it.  'I'hey  thought,  they  prayed,  they  were  mighty  in  the 
Scriptures;  and  it  was  a  well  known  saying  among  them,  "Give 
not  unto  God  that  which  costs  you  nothing." 

"  He  that  intends  truly  to  preach  the  Gospel,"  says  Bishop 
Burnet,  "  and  not  himself ;  he  that  is  more  concerned  to  do 


*  Pastoral  Care,  p.  232  and  following  pages. 


96 


MEMOIRS  OP  THE 


good  to  others,  than  to  raise  his  own  fame,  or  to  procure  a  fol- 
lowing after  himself;  and  that  makes  this  the  measure  of  all 
his  meditations  and  sermons,  that  he  may  put  things  in  the  best 
light,  and  recommend  them  with  the  most  advantage  to  his  peo- 
ple ;  that  reads  the  Scriptures  much,  and  meditates  often  on 
them  ;  that  prays  earnestly  to  God  for  direction  in  his  labours, 
and  for  a  blessing  upon  them  ;  that  directs  his  chief  endeavours 
to  the  most  important,  and  most  indispensable,  as  well  as  the 
most  undeniable  duties  of  religion ;  and  chiefly,  to  the  inward 
reformation  of  his  hearers'  hearts,  which  will  certainly  draw  all 
other  lesser  matters  after  it ;  and  that  does  not  spend  his  time, 
nor  his  zeal  upon  lesser  or  disputable  points  ;  this  man,  so  made 
and  so  moulded,  cannot  miscarry  in  his  work.  He  will  certainljr 
succeed  to  some  degree :  the  word  spoken  by  him,  shall  not 
return  again.  He  shall  have  his  crown,  and  his  reward  from  his 
labours.  And  to  say  all  that  can  be  said,  in  one  word,  with  St. 
Paul,  '  he  shall  both  save  himself,  and  them  that  hear  him.''  "* 

We  now  close  our  remarks  on  extempore  preaching.  But 
before  we  proceed  with  the  narrative,  we  shall  lay  before  the 
reader  a  few  letters  written  about  this  time  by  Mr.  Richmond, 
to  his  aunt  and  mother.  They  are  not,  indeed,  connected  with 
any  previous  or  subsequent  remarks  of  our  own ;  but  are  hero 
introduced  to  preserve  the  chronology  of  the  memoir.  They 
are  pleasing  proofs  of  Mr.  Richmond's  affectionate  attention  to 
the  claims  of  his  own  family,  amidst  the  incessant  demands  of 
public  duties. 

"  Turvey,  January  10,  1808. 
"  My  dear  Aunt, — Affection  for  one  so  long  known  and  loved 
must  indeed  be  asleep,  if  I  did  not  hasten  to  express  my  tender- 
est  concern  on  your  account.  My  office  and  station  calls  me 
daily,  in  one  place  or  another,  to  pour  the  balm  of  consolation 
into  the  wounded  breast.  I  cannot,  indeed,  comfort  you  in  per- 
son ;  but  if  I  may  be  allowed  to  speak  in  my  Lord  and  Sa- 
viour's name,  I  may  often  do  so  by  letter.  Indeed,  my  dearest 
aunt,  I  shall  be  happy,  in  any  endeavour  I  can  exert,  to  prove  to 
you  how  affectionately  I  am  interested  in  what  regards  your 
welfare,  both  spiritual  and  temporal.  I  am  daily  exercised 
amongst  the  sick,  the  weak,  the  maimed,  the  suffering,  and  the 
departing ;  and  am  constantly  reminded  of  the  uncertainty  of 
life,  even  from  one  day  to  another.  What  a  glorious  light  has 
the  word  of  God  thrown  on  the  otherwise  dark  and  gloomy  un- 
certainty which  would  have  overhung  the  prospect  of  eternity  ! 

♦  Sec  Burnet's  Pastoral  Care. 


REV.  LEGH  RICHMOiVD.  97 

How  full,  how  free  a  provision  tias  our  gracious  God  revealed 
for  the  salvation  of  sinners  who  lay  hold  on  his  promises  by 
faith  !  May  you  and  I  be  enabled,  under  every  trial  and  pang 
of  soul  or  body,  to  flee  to  the  stronji  One  for  help,  remember- 
ing that  in  all  our  afflictions  he  was  afflicted. 

3Iay  the  recollection  of  every  past  mstance  of  God's  kind- 
ness lead  you  to  trust  in  him,  and  repose  on  his  redeeming  grace 
and  love.  May  your  prayer  be  constantly  heard  and  answered, 
when  at  the  throne  of  grace  you  plead  what  a  Saviour  has  done 
and  suffered  for  you,  and  supplicate  for  a  heart  thankfuliy  resign- 
ed to  God,  let  what  will  be  liis  pleasure  concerning  you.  I  feel 
persuaded  you  will  ascribe  what  I  have  said  to  a  smcere  affec- 
tion, and  a  desire  to  contribute  my  mite  of  consolation  under 
the  trial  which  Providence  has  brought  upon  you.  May  you 
meet  it  with  the  true  spirit  of  Christian  fortitude.  Sanctified 
afflictions  are  the  Lord's  peculiar  mercies  to  those  whom  he 
loves.  May  yours  prove  one  of  this  kind  !  Frequent  medita- 
tion on  the  great  change  to  which  we  are  all  daily  liable,  to 
which  the  youngest  are  rapidly  hastening — is  highly  profitable 
to  the  soul,  and  begets  a  watchfulness  and  preparedness  of  mind 
for  every  event  and  circumstance.  Seasons  of  sickness  and 
debility  are  peculiarly  calculated  to  this  end.  They  are  often 
expressly  sent,  that  as  in  the  day  of  health  and  prosperity  we  are 
too  prone  to  forget  the  Author  and  Giver  of  all  our  blessings, 
these  messengers  of  mercy  may  be  the  means,  in  his  Almighty 
hands,  of  collecting  our  wandering  thoughts  and  affections, 
and  of  fixing  them  abidingly  on  him.  Receive  these  reflections 
from  one  who  loves  you,  who  wishes  never  to  forget  that  he  is  a 
minister  of  Christ,  and  always  your  affectionate  nephew, 

*'Legh  Richmond," 

"  Turvey,  January  29,  1808. 
My  dearest  Mother, — The  return  of  this  day*  reminds  me 
of  life,  death,  and  eternity ;  it  reminds  me  of  times  past,  and 
anticipates  times  to  come  ;  it  reminds  me  of  my  dear  mother 
also,  and  of  the  many  affectionate  sensations  which  the  suc- 
cessive anniversaries  of  my  birth  have  from  year  to  year  given 
her,  arising  from  the  mingled  hope  of  good  and  fear  of  evil. 
Sometimes  you  have  written  to  me  on  this  day ;  but  lest  a  letter 
should  not  be  penned  between  us,  I  take  up  the  quill  to  write  to 
you.  Accept  my  kind,  tender,  and  dutiful  assurances  of  fflial 
love  Q^d  veneration,  and  ten  thousand  thanks  for  all  your  care^ 


♦  His  birth-day. 
9* 


98 


MEMOIRS  OP  THL' 


and  prayers  on  my  account,  for  six-and-thirty  years  ;  nor  ever 
let  it  be  thought  that  I  am  insensible  to  what  I  owe  you.  Happy 
shall  I  feel,  if  enabled  and  permitted  to  contribute  to  the  ease 
and  consolation  of  your  declining  years,  and  to  mitigate  the  in- 
firmities of  old  age,  by  the  duly  applied  exertions  of  younger 
years!  It  seems  but  a  little  while  since  I  was  a  boy  myself,  return- 
ing home  from  season  to  season,  to  enjoy  the  blessing  and  com- 
fort of  parental  and  sisterly  society  and  affection  at  your  home  : 
and  now  I  see  myself  surrounded  by  my  boys  and  girls  at  my  own 
home,  growing  apace,  and  preparing  to  occupy  the  station  in  the 
world  which  we  now  fill  up.  It  is  an  old  and  worn-out  remark, 
'  how  time  flies  !'  Yet  we  cannot  help  all  making  it  in  our  turn  ; 
we  feel  its  force,  and  out  of  the  abundance  of  the  heart  the  mouth 
speaketh.  One  cannot  help  sometimes  ejaculating  with  good 
old  David,  '  O,  spare  me  a  little,  that  I  may  recover  my  strength, 
before  I  go  hence  and  be  no  more  seen !'  What  a  scene  does 
eternity  present ! — the  years  of  life  past — early  connexions  dis- 
solved— the  secrets  of  all  hearts  laid  open — souls  saved  or  lost 
— Christ,  a  frowning  judge,  or  a  welcome  saviour — all  mistakes 
and  errors  in  religion  at  an  end — every  false  foundation  under- 
mined— «a  world  in  flames  and  consumed,  as  though  it  had  never 
been — time  itself  no  more — eternal  ages  of  ages  rolling  on  in 
ceaseless  bliss  or  woe  !  Who  is  sufficient  even  to  speak  on  these 
things  1 

Pray  for  me,  that  since  the  Lord  has  spared  me  another 
year,  I  may  not  prove  such  a  barren  fig-tree  as  heretofore.  I 
could  look  at  all  that  is  past,  and  view  myself  as  no  better  thar> 
a  cumberer  of  the  ground.  But  the  gracious  Vine-dresser 
intercedes,  and  his  prayer  is  full  of  love  and  mercy ;  may  the 
Owner  of  the  vineyard  hear,  and  answer  it.  I  have  been  very 
unwell,  but  am  now  much  better  :  the  poor  fig-tree  is  not  yet 
cut  down.  May  it  bear  fruit  to  the  glory  of  the  Father.  Ac- 
cept our  love,  and  give  it  to  those  around  you  ;  and  believe 
me, — Your  affectionate  sob, 

"  Legh  Richmond." 

Turvey,  March  25tk,  1809. 
My  dearest  Mother, — I  do  indeed  most  sincerely  rejoice  at 
your  recovery  from  so  severe  an  attack  of  your  complaint,  as 
that  which  you  describe.  May  a  gracious  God  protect  you  un- 
der the  shadow  of  his  wing,  and  spare  your  valuable  health,  foF 
all  our  sakes ;  may  you  daily  enjoy  more  of  a  sense  of  the 
divine  presence,  as  you  advance  in  your  pilgrimage  ;  may  yoxi 
sometimes  be  favoured,  from  the  top  of  the  mount  of  Pisgah, 


EEV.  LEGH  RICHMOND. 


99 


with  a  cheerful  prospect  of  Canaan  ;  and  always  be  supported 
by  the  trust  that  He  who  hath  begun  the  good  work  in  you,  will 
perfect  it  in  his  own  time.  Your  occasional  doubts  and  fears, 
arise  from  too  much  considering  faith  and  repentance  as  the 
grounds,  rather  than  the  evidences  of  salvation.  The  truth  is, 
that  a  weak  faith  makes  the  soul  as  secure,  though  not  so  happy, 
as  a  strong  one  :  and  an  imperfect  repentance,  as  we  deem  it, 
may  be  sincere,  and  therefore  a  work  of  grace.  Our  salvation 
is  not,  because  we  do  so  well,  but  because  '  He  whom  we  trust, 
hath  done  all  things  well.'  The  believing  sinner  is  never  more 
happy  nor  secure,  than  when,  at  the  same  moment,  he  beholds 
and  feels  his  own  vileness,  and  also  his  Saviour's  excellence. 

I  the  chief  of  sinners  am, 
But  Jesus  died  for  me  ; 

is  the  burden  of  his  song.  You  look  at  yourself  too  much,  and 
at  the  infinite  price  paid  for  you  too  little.  For  conviction,  it  is 
true,  you  must  look  to  your  own  heart :  but  for  comfort,  at  your 
own  Saviour.  Thus  the  wounded  Israehtes  were  to  look  only 
at  the  brazen  serpent,  for  recovery.  The  graces  of  the  Spirit, 
such  as  love,  patience,  goodness,  faith,  &c.,  are  good  things  for 
others  to  judge  us  by ;  but  it  is  Christianity,  as  received,  be- 
lieved in,  rested  upon,  loved,  and  followed,  that  will  speak  peace 
to  ourselves.  By  looking  unto  Him,  we  shall  grow  holy  ;  and 
the  more  holy  we  grow,  the  more  we  shall  mourn  over  sin,  and 
be  sensible  how  very  short  we  come  of  what  w^e  ijet  desire  to  be. 
None  are  so  holy  as  those  who  mourn  that  they  are  not  more 
so.  While  our  sanctification  is  a  gradual  and  still  imperfect 
work,  our  ju£4ification  is  perfect  and  complete  :  the  former  is 
wrought  in  us,  the  latter  for  us.  Rely  simply  as  a  worthless 
sinner  on  the  Saviour,  and  the  latter  is  all  your  own,  with  its 
accompanying  blessings  of  pardon,  acceptance,  adoption,  and 
the  won-imputation  of  sin  to  your  charge.  Hence  will  flow 
thankful  obedience,  devotedness  of  heart,  patience  in  tribula- 
tion, and  quiet  waiting  for  the  glory  of  God.  Thus,  salvation 
is  by  faith  alone  ;  and  thus,  saving  faith  works  by  love.  Em- 
brace these  principles  freely,  fully,  and  impartially,  and  you  will 
enjoy  a  truly  scriptural  peace,  assurance,  and  comfort. 

"  You  would  hear  from  my  dear  wife  something  of  my  intend- 
-ed  proceedings,  during  the  ensuing  month  of  May.  She  has^ 
of  course,  told  you,  that  I  am  to  preach  the  annual  missionary 
sermon,  in  London,  on  Whit-Tuesday.  Mr.  Robinson,  ot^ 
Leicester,  preached  last  year. 

"  I  hope  ~  will  succeed  in  procuring  an  eligibte 


100 


MEMOIRS  Of  THE 


residence.  How  I  wish  they  might  fix  near  a  truly  pious  and 
devoted  clergyman.  The  importance  of  this  circumstance 
should  never  be  forgotten  in  the  choice  of  a  residence,  and  is  of 
far  greater  importance  than  many  are  disposed  to  consider  it.  , 

"  May  God  bless,  protect,  and  preserve  you  to  his  own  king- 
dom.   Love  to  Mr.  and  Mrs.  H  ,  from  all  here,  and  from 

your  affectionate  son, 

"Legh  Richmond." 

Tt  was  towards  the  close  of  the  year  1808,  that  the  writer  of 
this  memoir  first  became  acquainted  with  Mr.  Richmond  ;  and 
as  the  circumstances  connected  with  the  occurrence  were  of  a 
nature  that  led  to  a  very  confidential  intercourse,  terminating  on- 
ly with  the  disease  of  his  revered  and  much-beloved  friend,  he 
trusts  he  shall  be  excused  for  briefly  adverting  to  the  subject. 

Soon  after  his  entrance  into  the  ministry,  the  serious  charge 
first  attracted  his  attention,  that  the  Gospel  was  not  generally 
preached  with  fidelity  and  correctness  by  the  clergy.  A.s  this 
accusation  was  circulated  in  the  neighbourhood  where  he  then 
lived,  and  he  was  included  in  the  supposed  number  of  the  de- 
linquents, it  awakened  serious  reflections  in  his  mind.  Having 
adopted  the  profession  of  the  church  under  a  strong  predilection 
for  its  duties,  he  was  disposed,  in  the  first  instance,  to  repel 
this  insinuation,  with  a  deep  sense  of  injured  feeling,  not  wholly 
unmingled  with  indignation  ;  and  to  attribute  it  to  the  preva- 
lence of  dissent  in  that  particular  vicinity.  But  the  question 
immediately  suggested  itself — Why  was  there  a  prevalence  of 
dissent  ;  and  did  not  this  fact  of  itself  constitute  a  grave  and 
momentous  charge,  affecting  the  character  and  credit  of  the 
clergy  ?  The  fact,  of  the  poor  usually  forming  the  larger  pro- 
portion of  the  seceders,  contributed  in  no  small  degree  to  rouse 
liis  conscience,  and  to  call  for  deliberate  and  solemn  inquiry. 

At  that  period,  the  religious  views  of  the  writer,  in  common 
with  those  of  many  others,  were  of  the  following  nature,  viz  : — 
that  we  were  to  fulfil  every  appointed  duty  to  the  best  of  our 
ability,  and  that  all  deficiences  would  be  supplied  by  the  merits 
of  the  Redeemer  :  thus  making  the  sinner's  salvation,  principal- 
ly, the  effect  of  his  own  merits,  and  considering  those  of  the 
Saviour  merely  as  supplementary  to  them.  The  corruption  and 
entire  alienation  of  the  human  heart  from  God,  the  necessity  of 
the  renewing  influences  of  the  Holy  Spirit,  and  the  manner  oF 
their  operation,  were  very  inadequately  understood  by  him  ;  and 
consequently,  very  obscurely  stated  from  the  pulpit :  and  yet  he 
was  diligent  in  his  parochial  duties,  zealous  as  a  preacher  of 
righteousness,  and  aimed  at  holiness  in  his  life,  without  ever 


REV.  LKGH  RICHMOND. 


101 


oing  able  to  attain  what  he  so  earnestly  desired.  After  various 
ittempts  to  satisfy  his  conscience,  the  suggestion  gradually 
presented  itself,  that  it  was  possible  he  might  hold  erroneous 
views,  however  unconscious  of  their  nature  and  extent  ;  and 
the  awful  words  of  the  apostle,  oe  unto  me  if  I  preach  not 
the  Gospel,"  began  to  fill  his  mind  with  trouble  and  dismay. 
Not  to  dwell  on  a  series  of  minor  circumstances,  the  idea  which 
was  first  admitted  as  r  possibility,  assumed  the  character  of  pro- 
bability ;  and,  for  a  period  of  two  years,  his  mind  was  kept  in  a 
state  of  painful  conflict  :  during  which,  many  a  prayer  was  ofter- 
ed  up  to  the  Father  of  lights  and  to  the  God  of  all  mercy  ;  and 
the  promise  unceasingly  pleaded — If  any  man  lack  wisdom, 
let  him  ask  of  God,  that  giveth  to  all  men  liberally,  and  up- 
braideih  not  :  and  it  shall  be  given  him.'- — James  i.  5. 

At  the  expiration  of  this  time,  a  dying  friend  sent  him  Ro- 
maine's  twelve  Discourses  on  the  Law  and  the  Gospel  ; 
earnestly  expressing  a  hope,  that  the  perusal  of  them  might  b& 
as  useful  to  him  as  she  had  found  them  to  be  to  herself.  It  was 
to  this  book  that  the  writer  owed  the  solution  of  all  his  diffi- 
culties, and  the  first  clear  and  spiritual  conviction  of  the  mode 
of  a  sinner's  acceptance  before  God  ;  from  it  he  discovered  that 
the  law  can  never  save,  either  in  whole  or  in  part, — that  its 
office  is  rather  to  condemn,  "  as  the  killing  letter,"  and the 
ministration  unto  death,"  because  it  requires  that  perfect  and  un- 
sinning  obedience,  which  no  man  can  perform  ;  and  in  the 
absence  of  such  obedience,  pronounces  the  awful  sentence, 
"  Cursed  is  every  one  that  continueth  not  in  all  things  which  ars 
WTitten  in  the  book  of  the  law  to  do  them  " — Gal.  iii.  10.* 
Thus  the  law  becomes  a  schoolmaster,  to  lead  us  to  Christ,'* 
— that  the  condemned  and  guilty  sinner  may  see  the  grace  and 
glory  of  that  redemption  which  is  revealed  in  the  Gospel  ;  and 
disclaiming  all  self-dependence  may  seek  and  find  acceptance 
alone  from  the  unmerited  mercy  of  God  in  Christ  Jesus.  The 
work  entitled  "  the  Fathers  of  the  English  Church,"  of  which  an 
account  has  already  been  given,  was,  at  the  same  time,  just 
published  in  numbers  ;  and,  from  a  conviction  that  none  were 
likely  to  be  better  guides,  in  the  right  interpretation  of  th& 
doctrines  of  the  Church  of  England,  than  those  who  framed 
them,  the  writer  began  to  read  the  above  publication  with  great 
interest.  Shortly  afterwards,  he  was  removed  to  his  present 
residence,  at  Biddenham,  but  not  before  he  had  been  permitted 
to  see  some  very  decided  fruits  from  his  change  of  view  s,  and 


*  See  also  Daniel  ix.  11. 


102 


MEMOIRS  OF  THE 


from  a  more  scriptural  ^ty\e  of  preachins;.    The  parish  of  Bid- 
denham  not  being  further  distant  from  Turvey  than  six  miles,  he 
frequentl)r  heard  of  Mr.  Richmond's  character  and  proceedings  ;  j 
and  having  expressed  a   strong  desire   to  cultivate  his  ac-  j 
quaintance,  this  wish  was  shortly  after  gratified. 

As  he  was  one  rn^orning  engaged  in  reading  the  "  Fathers,'* 
the  name  of  Mr.  Richmond  was  announced,  and  he  immediately 
entered  the  room.  After  a  few  general  remarks,  "  What  is  the 
book,  sir,"  he  asked.  "  that  you  are  reading  ?"  "  The  '  Fathers 
of  the  English  Church,'  "  T  replied.  "  What  is  the  nature  of 
the  work,  and  your  opinion  of  its  merits  ?"  I  observed,  that 
I  had  been  led  by  a  train  of  circumstances  to  examine  very 
minutely  into  the  real  purport  and  character  of  the  doctrines  of 
our  Church,  from  a  ronviction  that  a  great  diversity  of  opinion 
prevailed  on  the  subject ;  and  that,  instt  ad  of  being  directed  by 
any  modern  guide,  it  appeared  to  me  to  be  the  duty  of  a  consci- 
entious m.inister,  to  trace  its  doctrines  to  the  writings  of  those 
men  by  whose  labours  it  had  been  established.  That  a  work 
had  lately  been  published,  professing  to  contain  copious  extracts 
from  the  writings  of  the  Reformers,  which  I  considered  to  be  a 
most  invaluable  performance  ;  that  I  was  deriving  much  benefit 
and  edification  from  it;  and  that  if  it  were  read  by  the  clergy 
generally,  I  thought  it  would  be  attended  with  very  important 
consequences.  Seeing  a  smile  upon  his  countenance,  I  obser- 
ved, "  Why  do  you  smile,  sir?'  "  It  is  owing,"  he  replied,  "to 
the  singularity  of  our  conversation  ;  and  you  yourself  will,  per- 
haps, smile,  and  be  surprised,  when  I  inform  you  that  the  editor 
of  the  work,  in  the  praise  of  which  you  are  so  earnest,  is  now 
before  you."  "  You  the  author  of  this  work  ?"  I  said.  "  Yes,'* 
he  replied,  "  I  am  the  compiler."  He  then  related  the  facts 
that  have  already  been  recorded,  as  to  the  manner  in  which  he 
first  became  possessed  of  the  writings  of  the  Reformers.  'J'he 
interest  excited  in  my  mind  by  this  communication,  and  by 
the  whole  of  the  interview,  awakened  a  strong  wish  to  cultivate 
a  nearer  intercourse  with  so  valuable  a  character  ;  and  the  foun- 
dation was  soon  laid  of  an  intimacy  which  the  experience  of 
every  year  increased  and  strengthened — the  harmony  of  which 
was  never  interrupted  for  a  day,  an  hour,  or  a  moment ;  and 
which  was  the  source  of  increasing  profit,  comfort,  and  happi- 
ness, to  its  lamented  close.  Little  did  I  think,  when  this  first 
interview  occurred  with  my  estimable  friend,  that  we  were  after- 
wards to  be  frequent  companions  in  many  a  labour  of  love — in 
many  a  public  cause;  and  to  share,  with  mutual  sympathy,  in  the 
various  events  that  have  occurred  smce  that  period ; — that  I  then 


REV.  LEGH  RICHMOND. 


103 


w  before  me  the  man  with  whom  1  was  to  be  leagued  in  the 

osest  bonds  of  intimacy, —  that  1  should  be  called  upon  to 
othi  iate  in  christening  his  children,  marrying  his  daughters,  and 
burying  two  of  his  sons;  and,  finally,  that  it  would  be  my 
mournful  duty,  amidst  the  tears  of  his  bereaved  family  and  sor- 
rowing parishioners,  to  perff)rm  the  !ast  sad  office  for  himself! 

Shortly  after  the  above  interview,  Mr.  Richmond  was  request- 
ed to  preach  at  Biddenham.  It  was  thr-  first  time  that  I  had 
ever  heard  a  minister  of  his  sentiments.  "Che  clearness,  the 
ability,  and  the  impressive  manner  in  which  he  untblded  the 
gjeat  truths  of  the  Gospel — the  earnest  ano  affectionate  appeals 
that  he  made  to  the  conscience  :  the  skill  with  which  he  dis- 
criminated the  difi'erent  classes  of  his  hearers,  the  astonishing 
fluency  of  his  utterance,  and  the  eartiestness  both  of  the  preach- 
er and  the  congregation,  awakened  in  me  a  train  of  solemn 
reflections,  and  especially  on  the  value  of  public  preaching, 
when  conducted  on  such  principles,  and  accompanied  with  such 
holy  and  devout  afiections.  An  intense  interest  and  heavenly 
fervour  seemed  to  be  depicted  in  exery  countenance,  and  to  be 
felt  in  every  heart.  I  shared  in  the  same  emotions,  but  they 
were  accompanied  by  a  great  depressi^m  of  feeling,  and  a  con- 
viction that  I  was  wholly  unworthv  to  enter  the  same  pulpit : 
nor  shall  I  ever  forget  the  seasonable  remark  of  a  pious  old 
man,  on  the  following  morning,  who,  in  dwelling  on  the  excel- 
lencies of  the  preceding  day's  discourse,  observed,  "  The  grace 
that  God  has  given  to  him,  he  can  give  both  to  you  and  me ;  for 
God  is  no  respecter  of  persons." 

The  writer  being  called  awav  for  a  short  time,  by  some  family 
circumstances,  Mr.  Richmond  undertook  to  assist  him,  and 
supply  the  duty  at  Biddenham  and  at  the  adjoining  parish  of 
Stagsden.  It  was  during  this  interval  that  he  received  from  him 
the  two  following  letters. 

"  Turvey,  February  8,  1809. 
"  My  dear  Friend, — I  sincerely  pray  that  you  may  be  restored 
to  your  parishes  in  that  happy  frame  which  may,  under  a  divine 
blessing,  render  you  to  them,  and  them  to  you,  a  mutual  com- 
fort. A  general  interest  and  inquiry  is  excited  in  your  whole 
vicinity,  to  hear  you,  and  the  word  of  God  from  your  lips.  May 
you  be  directed  and  enabled,  by  the  Searcher  of  all  hearts,  to 
preach  Jesus  Christ  freely,  fully,  and  effectually,  both  to  un- 
converted and  converted  sinners.  Do  not  shun  to  declare  the 
whole  counsel  of  God.  Keep  in  mind  that  excellent  rule  I 
mentioned  the  other  morning  :  '  never  preach  a  single  sermon. 


104 


MEMOIRS  OF  THE 


from  which  an  unenlightened  hearer  might  not  learn  the  plan  of 
salvation,  even  though  he  never  afterwards  heard  another  dis- 
course.' Sin  and  salvation  are  the  two  grand  subjects  of  our 
preaching ;  and  they  ought  to  be  brought  forward  unceasingly, 
both  doctrinally,  practically^  and,  above  all,  experimentally. 
Preach  from  the  heart,  and  it  will  always  reach  the  heart.  I 
always  find  that  when  I  speak  from  the  inward  feelings  of  my 
own  heart,  with  respect  to  the  workmgs  of  inbred  corruption, 
earnest  desire  after  salvation,  a  sense  of  my  own  nothingness, 
and  my  Saviour's  fulness,  the  people  hear,  feel,  are  edified,  and 
strengthened.  Whereas,  if  I  descend  to  mere  formal  or  cold 
explanation  of  particulars,  which  do  not  affect  the  great  ques- 
tion— *  What  must  I  do  to  be  saved  V  my  hearers  and  I  grow 
languid  and  dull  together,  and  no  good  is  done. 

Many  of  our  hearers  have  been  accustomed  to  attend  at 
various  descriptions  of  meeting-houses.  The  general  character 
of  meeting-house  piety  is  simple,  earnest,  scriptural,  plain,  and 
interesting, — the  awful  condition  of  a  sinner,  in  his  natural  state, 
and  the  consolations  and  promises  of  a  Saviour,  are  dwelt  upon 
throughout  their  prayers  and  discourses.  Thus  far  all  is  good  ; 
and  we  must  do  the  same,  if  we  would  retain  or  regain  our  con- 
gregations. Thus  the  fathers  of  the  English  church  preached 
to  our  elders  and  predecessors — thus  preached  Romaine,  Wal- 
ker, Venn,  Berridge,  Milner,  Newton,  &c.  ;  and  thus  souls 
were  saved,  and  the  church  of  England  flourished,  and  was 
built  up  under  their  ministry.  May  you  and  I  do  so  likewise, 
and  daily  see  the  fruit  of  oui  labours,  in  the  growth  of  our  peo- 
ple in  divine  knowledge. 

You  see,  I  speak  to  you  with  the  freedom  of  a  brother  ;  you 
have  given  me  liberty  so  to  do.  I  esteem  you  highly  for  it,  and 
thank  you  for  the  confidence  you  repose  in  me  ;  I  only  desire  to 
use  it  to  the  glory  of  God,  and  the  good  of  souls.  Having 
some  little  experience  in  the  ministry,  and  knowing  a  good  deal 
of  the  character  and  circumstances  of  the  people,  both  religious 
and  irreligious,  in  this  neighbourhood,  I  may  sometimes  have  it 
in  my  power  to  suggest  hints,  and  communicate  information,  that 
may  be  useful  and  satisfactory  to  you.  But  above  all,  pray  fer- 
vently to  God  for  a  blessing  on  yourself,  your  preaching,  your 
people,  on  the  church  of  God,  and  last  though  not  least,  on — 
Your  unworthy  friend  and  brother, 

*'  Legh  Richmond." 

"  Turvey,  Feb.  20,  1809. 
"  My  dear  Friend  and  Brother, — I  promised  you  an  account 
of  my  proceedings  with  respect  to  your  parishes,  and  now  git 


REV.  LEGH  RICHMOND. 


105 


^own  to  fulfil  that  promise.  My  friend,  who  engaged  to  assist 
me,  having  been  prevented  from  coming  here,  I  was  under  the 
necessity  of  fixing  a  later  hour  for  the  services  at  Biddenham, 
but  it  was  perfectly  agreeable  to  your  people,  and  to  many  even 
more  agreeable,  than  if  I  had  served  your  church  at  the  usual 
time. 

Your  churches  have  been  overflowing  as  to  the  number  of 
hearers,  and  I  trust  God  will  bless  the  work  amongst  them  ;  I 
preached  for  you  also  at  Biddenham  on  the  Fast-day — I  had 
every  reason  to  be  highly  satisfied  with  the  general  appearance 
of  things,  during  the  three  weeks  I  preached  at  Biddenham. 
Our  truly  Christian  friends,  the  B.'s,  did  every  thing  possible  to 
promote  my  comforts,  and  the  general  good  of  our  holy  cause. 
At  two  o'clock  in  the  afternoon  of  the  12th  ultimo,  I  arrived  for 
the  first  time  at  Stagsden  the  whole  school  were  assembled  in 
the  church,  and  a  fine  congregation.  I  preached  a  sermon  on 
the  opening  of  the  school.  When  the  service  was  over,  I  desi- 
red the  children  and  their  relations  to  come  int^  the  chancel, 
where  I  gave  them  a  familiar  address,  by  way  of  encourage- 
ment, and  spoke  to  them  individually  on  their  respective  duties. 
I  yesterday  went  to  Stagsden  again,  later  in  the  afternoon,  be- 
ing unable  to  get  there  so  early  as  I  wished,  and  found  a  noble 
congregation  indeed.  After  service  I  inspected  the  school,  and 
made  a  few  regulations  for  order  and  decency,  to  await  your  ap- 
probation. T  have  been  very  desirous  that  the  first  impressions 
on  the  minds  of  the  scholars,  and  that  of  the  parish  at  large, 
should  be,  that  it  is  a  religious  as  well  as  a  literary  institution  ; 
and  I  think  I  have  succeeded.  I  visited,  this  morning,  two  dying 
parishioners  of  Stagsden,  one  at  North-end,  and  the  other  at 
Bury-end.  Both,  alas  !  with  little  light.  I  have  said  and  done 
every  thing  I  could  amongst  the  people  to  pave  the  way,  as  I 
trust,  for  your  comfortable  labours  amongst  them.  I  shall  hope 
to  see  you  as  soon  as  you  return,  as  1  shall  be  glad  to  enter 
into  full  detail  of  several  little  particulars,  which  maybe  for  your 
satisfaction,  and  that  of  the  parishes.  One  day  at  Biddenham, 
I  conversed  individually  with  several  of  your  parishioners,  and 
was  happy  to  find  that  some  young  persons  have  been  seriously 
impressed  under  your  ministry.  Some  persons  also  spoke  to 
me,  and  desired  to  be  kindly  remembered,  particularly  one  named 

 •.    I  propose  going  next  week  to  see  your  Biddenham 

flock  once  more  before  your  return. 

*  A  neighbouring  village,  the  curacy  of  which  was,  at  that  time,  attached  to 
Biddenham. 


10 


106 


MEMOIRS  OF  THE 


"  Having  given  you  some  account  of  your  parochial  transact 
tions,  allow  me  to  express  my  earnest  wishes  for  your  spiritual 
prosperity,  both  as  it  concerns  your  own  inward  experience  and 
outward  ministry.  I  feel  persuaded,  that  you  will  every  day  in- 
creasingly discover  your  infinite  obligation  to  our  common  Lord 
and  Saviour,  who  has  led  you  by  his  grace  to  discern  between 
good  and  evil,  truth  and  error,  salvation  by  works,  and  salvation 
by  grace  through  faith  alone.  I  cannot  help  feeling  an  affec- 
tionate and  brotherly  concern  and  regard  towards  you,  from 
having  so  exactly  trod  over  a  similar  ground.  I  have  known  the 
difficulty  of  giving  up  all  for  Christ — of  ceasing  to  do  and  speak 
as  the  world  around  me  did, — I  have  felt  the  necessity  of  deny* 
ing  myself — taking  up  the  cross,  and  following  our  Lord.  I 
offer  up  my  prayers,  that  your  mind  may  be  strengthened  unto 
the  clearest  views  of  every  essential  truth,  and  unto  firm  resolu- 
tions to  walk  in  the  good  old  way  of  our  forefathers. 

*'  God  appears  to  have  prepared  you  a  people  for  your  labours, 
and  they  are  anxiously  awaiting  your  arrival.  May  the  Lord 
give  you  many  of  them  as  souls  for  your  hire ! 

"  Allow  me,  with  all  the  confidence  and  anxiety  which  friend- 
ship, and  a  desire  to  serve  the  interest  of  our  great  cause  inspire, 
to  give  it  as  my  decided  advice  (founded  on  observation,  and  the 
state  of  feeling  and  habit  amongst  reHgious  people  in  general,) 
that  you  study  even  the  prejudices  of  those  amongst  whom  you 
may  labour,  against  all  worldly  conformity,  that  might  injure  the 
weight  and  influence  of  your  ministry.  Public,  and  some  pri- 
vate amusements,  are  viewed  with  pecuUar  dislike  and  disappro- 
bation by  good  people  in  general.  Those  who  have  not  been 
accustomed  to  converse  intimately  with  that  most  respectable 
part  of  the  community,  the  middle  and  lower  ranks  of  rehgious 
persons,  would  hardly  conceive  how  strong  their  feelings  are 
upon  those  points  which  others  often  view  as  trivial.  I  merely 
mention  these  things,  because  I  have  myself  found  the  necessity 
of  attending  to  them,  far  beyond  what  I  at  first  supposed.  I  feel 
a  deep  interest  for  your  happiness,  and  the  success  of  your  mi- 
nistry. I  view  it  as  a  matter  of  providential  mercy,  that  you 
are  thrown  into  this  new  situation,  and  trust  great  good  will  arise 
from  it  to  you,  and  to  the  people. 

"  I  am  much  obliged  by  the  friendly  confidence  with  which 
you  have  treated  me,  and  pray  God  that  oar  intercourse  may  be 
truly  blest. 

I  ought  to  apologize  for  so  long  a  letter,  but  I  have  been  in- 
sensibly led  to  be  prolix.  I  shall  preach,  and  visit  the  new  Sun- 
day school  at  Stagsden  on  Sunday  next,  and  shall  pay  one  more 


REV.  LEGH  RICHMOND. 


107 


visit  to  your  people  at  Biddenham,  in  the  middle  of  next  week ; 
at  the  end  of  which  I  hope  God  will  restore  you  in  safety  to 
*  your  work  and  your  reward.'  May  the  free,  sovereign,  unme- 
rited, and  effectual  grace  of  God,  give  you  all  spiritual  bless- 
ings in  heavenly  places  with  Christ  Jesus.  I  commend  you  to 
his  high  and  holy  keeping,  and  desire  you  to  be  assured  with  how 
great  sincerity  I  am, — -Your  unworthy  fellow  labourer, 

"  LeGH  RiCidMOND." 

The  writer  of  this  memoir  cannot  help  here  observing,  how 
tnuch  he  recognized  the  hand  of  Providence  in  leading  him  to  a 
neighbourhood,  which  abounded  with  so  many  privileges  of  a 
religious  nature,  and  where  he  found  so  experienced  and  useful 
a  guide  as  Mr.  Richmond.  In  his  former  residence,  with  the 
exception  of  an  endeared  friend,  the  want  of  these  advantages 
was  highly  injurious  to  his  progress  in  the  knowledge  of  rehgion. 
In  this  way  we  discover  the  goodness  and  wisdom  of  Provi- 
dence in  the  various  circumstances  and  events  of  our  lives,  in 
appointing  the  bounds  of  our  habitation,  and  placing  us  when 
and  where  his  Almighty  wisdom  and  love  sees  to  be  most  suited 
to  the  purposes  of  his  grace,  and  our  own  welfare  and  advance- 
ment in  holiness. 

It  was  about  this  period,  in  the  year  1809,  that  those  institu- 
tions, whose  subsequent  career  is  so  well  known,  suddenly 
emerged  from  a  state  of  comparative  obscurity,  and  by  a  kind 
of  simultaneous  movement  engrossed  the  popular  favour  and 
sanction,  from  one  extremity  of  the  kingdom  to  the  other. 
Men  were  at  length  roused  from  their  apathy,  and  seized  with 
avidity  the  opportunity  now  presented  of  redeeming  the  guilt  of 
past  neglect.  On  the  other  hand,  feelings  of  disapprobation, 
or  of  more  avowed  opposition,  were  manifested  in  certain  quar- 
ters, and  ministers  of  the  EstabHshed  Church  were  subjected 
to  much  misrepresentation  and  censure,  on  account  of  their  at- 
tachment to  these  societies.  It  seems,  therefore,  not  irrele- 
vant, in  recording  the  life  of  one  who  was  a  most  active  friend 
and  able  supporter  of  these  institutions,  to  offer  a  few  remarks, 
in  vindication  of  the  motives  which  influenced  Mr.  Richmond 
and  others  to  afford  them  their  zealous  co-operation. 

The  British  and  Foreign  Bible  Society  first  claims  our  no- 
tice. 

If  ever  there  was  a  loud  call  for  making  an  extended  effort  to 
circulate  the  inspired  Volume,  it  was  at  the  period  of  the  esta- 
blishment of  this  society.  At  home  the  poison  of  infidelity  had 
been  propagated  with  singular  malignity  and  perseverance  ; 


108 


MEMOIRS  OF  THE 


while  a  sufficient  supply  of  the  Holy  Scriptures,  the  only  ahtU 
dote  to  arrest  its  progress,  was  not  to  be  obtained. 

On  the  continent  of  Europe,  where  this  deficiency  existed  to 
a  much  greater  extent,  an  anti-social  and  anti-religious  confede- 
racy had  long  been  actively  at  work,*  and  atheism  itself  had 
been  proclaimed  with  the  authority  and  sanction  of  law.|  Ihe 
moral  restraints,  so  necessary  to  be  imposed  on  the  passions  of 
men,  being  thus  withdrawn,  a  system  of  demoralization  had 
gradually  diffused  itself  throughout  civilized  Europe,  and  the 
great  fabric  of  civil  and  religious  society  had  long  been  threat- 
ened with  dissolution.  The  attempt,  therefore,  at  such  a  mo- 
ment of  disorder  and  confusion,  to  bring  men  back  to  the  im- 
portant sanctions  of  a  divine  Revelation,  seemed  to  be  nothing 
less  than  an  act  of  heavenly  interposition,  and  a  visible  fulfil- 
ment of  the  promise,  that  the  gates  of  hell  shall  not  prevail 
against  the  interests  of  the  church  of  God  ; — it  was  to  erect 
the  most  powerful  barrier  against  the  future  encroachments  of 
infidelity ;  and,  viewed  in  this  light,  it  seemed  like  the  bow  in 
the  heavens,  the  pledge  that  the  world  was  not  to  be  again  de- 
stroyed by  the  overwhelming  flood. 

It  is  a  delightful  reflection,  that  Great  Britain  was  the  first  to 
stem  the  torrent,  and,  during  a  period  of  prevailing  infidelity,  to 
form  an  institution,  whose  objert  was  to  dispense  the  bread  of 
life  at  home  and  abroad,  to  every  nation  under  heaven. 

To  effect  this  grand  enterprize  of  Christian  benevolence^ 
men  of  all  ranks  and  denominations,  laying  aside  party  distinc- 
tions, met  on  common  ground,  and  exhibited  an  union  hithefta 
unknown  in  the  annals  of  Christendom — a  union  of  all  hands 
and  of  all  hearts  ;  holy  in  its  character,  and  yielding  the  fruits 
of  righteousness  and  peace — a  union,  presenting  to  the  world  a 
new  weapon  to  silence  the  vauntings  of  the  adversary,  and 
tending  to  the  fulfilment  of  the  prayer  of  the  divine  Intercessor, 
— "  that  they  all  may  be  one,  as  thou,  Father,  art  in  me,  and  I 
in  thee  ;  that  they  also  may  be  one  in  us,  that  the  world  may  6c- 
lieve  thai  thou  hast  sent  me." — John  xvii.  21- 

Cheering  as  were  the  prospects  afforded  by  this  union  of  the 
Christian  world  ;  a  union  without  compromise  of  principle,  and 
whose  sole  object  was  to  lift  up  the  standard  of  divine  truth, 
that  all  nations  might  gather  around  it — there  never  was  an  in- 
stitution which  encountered  a  more  systematic  opposition. 

*  See  Barruel's  Jacobin  Conspiracy,  on  this  subject,  and  another  work  of 
similar  character,  by  Professor  Robinson. 

t  A  decree  passed,  during  the  French  Revolution,  in  the  National  Conven^ 
tion,  declaring  that  there  was  no  God  ! 


REV.  LEGH  RICHMOND. 


109 


It  was  maintained,  and  no  doubt  with  all  the  sincerity  of  con- 
viction, that  the  circulation  of  the  Bible  alone,  unaccompanied 
by  the  Prayer  Book,  the  proper  and  authorized  symbol  of  the 
Estabhshed  Church,  must  ultimately  prove  fatal  to  that  church ; 
and  yet,  if  the  Prayer  Book  be  in  accordance  with  the  Bible,  as 
the  members  of  the  Established  Church  believe  and  avow,  does 
it  not  seem  at  variance  with  the  allowed  connexion  of  cause  and 
effect,  to  suppose  that  a  principle,  in  its  tendency  and  design, 
can  be  subversive  of  that  with  which  it  is  identified  ;  or  that  the 
Bible,  which  propagates  nothing  but  truth,  and  therefore  is  op- 
posed to  nothing  but  error,  can  possibly  lead  to  such  an  event- 
ful issue  ?  It  would  certainly  have  been  a  strange  anomaly  in 
morals,  as  well  as  in  argumentative  reasoning,  for  the  future 
historian  to  have  recorded,  that  in  the  sixteenth  century  the 
Church  of  England  was  first  erected  on  the  foundation  of  the 
Bible,  and  of  the  Bible  alone  ;  and  yet,  in  the  nineteenth  cen- 
tury, that  it  was  undermined,  and  finally  overthrown  by  the  same 
instrumentality  :  thus  exhibiting  the  extraordinary  spectacle  of 
a  church,  subverted  by  the  same  cause  to  which  it  owed  its  ori- 
ginal estabhshment.  The  Church  of  Enorland  has  nothing  to 
apprehend  from  the  circulation  of  the  sacred  volume.  It  has 
only  to  fear  "  the  worm  at  the  root,"  the  decay  of  sound  and 
scriptural  principles,  to  obviate  which  the  Bible  furnishes  the 
best  antidote. 

But  while  the  sufficiency  of  the  Holy  Scriptures  is  thus  pro- 
ved to  be  the  doctrine  of  our  own  church,  and  the  fundamental 
principle  of  the  Protestant  faith,  another  objection  was  also 
urged  at  this  time,  with  no  less  frequency,  that  the  union  of  such 
discordant  materials  (as  they  were  called)  as  churchmen  and 
dissenters,  would  prove  totally  impracticable.  Without  refer- 
ring to  the  characteristic  feature  of  Christianity,  which  is  to 
unite  all  men  into  one  holy  brotherhood,  we  will  here  argue  the 
question  rather  as  a  matter  of  fact,  than  of  speculation.  The 
harmony  of  this  union  has  now  remained  during  a  long  lapse  of 
years,  without  experiencing  any  interruption  ;  and  it  has  owed 
its  preservation  to  the  uniform  fidelity  with  which  the  society  has 
adhered  to  its  fundamental  principle,  viz.,  the  exclusion  of  note 
and  comment,  restricting  its  members  to  the  simple  recognition 
of  one  great  truth, — that  the  inspired  volume  is  the  common 
standard  of  faith  and  practice  to  all  mankind.  It  is  true  that 
disunion  in  the  councils  of  the  society  has  unhappily  occurred, 
but  it  arose  from  other  causes,  which  we  need  not  specify,  be- 
cause they  are  too  well  known  ;  and  it  is  not  less  known,  thai 
they  were  wholly  unconnected  with  the  union  of  churchmen  and 

10* 


110 


MEMOIRS  OF  THE 


dissenters.  The  writer  can  also  add  his  own  testimony  in  the 
following  remarkable  fact,  that  during  an  intercourse  of  eight 
years'  continuance  with  the  late  Rev.  Mr.  Toller,  an  eminent 
and  amiable  dissenting  minister  at  Kettering,  with  whom  he  was 
associated  as  secretary  to  the  Northamptonshire  Bible  Society, 
so  numerous  were  the  subjects  of  discussion,  in  which  they  were 
found  to  agree,  that  there  was  neither  opportunity  nor  inclina- 
tion to  introduce  those  in  which  they  differed.  Instances  might 
also  be  enumerated  to  prove  the  tendency  of  this  society  to 
soften  political  differences,  and  national  animosities.  Mr.  Ba- 
ker and  Mr.  Plomer,  two  rival  candidates  for  the  representation 
of  the  county  of  Hertford,  first  met  together  without  the  feel- 
ings of  asperity,  on  the  platform  of  a  Bible  Society,  and  after 
the  meeting,  expressed  their  mutual  satisfaction,  embracing  each 
other  as  friends.  In  a  similar  manner,  the  late  Mr.  Whitbread 
seconded  a  resolution,  at  the  London  Auxiliary  Bible  Society, 
which  Lord  Castlereagh  had  previously  moved  ;  stating,  that  in 
such  a  cause  he  forgot  the  opponent,  and  recognized  nothing 
but  the  friend.  Another  iateresting  fact  might  also  be  stated. — 
After  the  anniversary  of  the  Paris  Bible  Society,  in  the  year 
1826,  the  writer  met  a  warm  and  distinguished  friend  of  the 
cause.  Admiral  Count  Verhuel,  who,  two  years  before,  had  at- 
tended the  great  annual  meeting  in  London,  as  the  representa- 
tive of  the  French  Bible  Society,  and  occupied  a  seat  next  to 
Admiral  Lord  Gambier.  On  asking  him  what  were  his  feelings 
on  that  occasion,  he  replied,  "  I  remember  the  time  when  Lord 
Gambier  and  myself  could  not  have  stood  so  near  to  each  other, 
without  each  holding  a  sword  in  our  hands.  At  that  time  we 
did  not  feel  the  want  of  our  swords  ;  we  suffered  them  to  remain 
in  the  scabbard  ;  we  had  no  sword,  but  the  sword  of  the  Spirit, 
and  *  the  sword  of  the  Spirit  is  the  word  of  God.'  "  "  Would  it 
not,"  I  added,  "  be  a  matter  of  regret  to  you  to  be  again  enga- 
ged in  war  with  Great  Britain  ?"  "  I  should  always,"  he  an- 
swered, "  regret  to  be  at  war  with  a  country  that  is  so  nobly 
engaged  in  sending  the  Gospel  of  peace  throughout  the  world." 

Anecdotes,  like  these,  are  the  best  refutation  of  objections 
such  as  we  have  already  enumerated.  A  uniting  principle  can- 
not possibly  be  a  bad  principle  ;  the  spirit  of  love  is  the  spirit  of 
Christ  and  of  true  religion,  while  prejudice  contracts  the  heart, 
and  fills  the  mind  with  injurious  surmises  ;  it  finds  a  vulnerable 
part  in  every  limb  of  an  Achilles,  and  a  defect  and  blemish  in 
every  feature  of  a  Venus. 

The  Church  Missionary  Society  next  merits  attention.  That 
we  may  duly  appreciate  the  motives  that  led  to  the  establishment 


REV.  LEGH  RICHMOND. 


IIJ 


ef  this  iastitution,  it  is  necessary  to  state  that,  prior  to  its  forma- 
tion, the  only  society  in  the  Church  of  England,  exclusively 
devoted  to  missionary  objects,  was  the  society  for  the  propaga- 
tion of  the  Gospel  in  Foreign  parts.  Though  this  designation 
seemed  to  imply  a  character  of  universality  in  its  labours,  they 
were,  in  fact,  restricted  to  the  British  C  olonies  in  North  Ame- 
rica. In  addition  to  this  limited  scene  of  exertion,  the  Society 
for  promoting  Christian  Knowledge  united  with  its  other  opera- 
tions the  charge  and  superintendence  of  the  Danish  mission  at 
Tranq;jebar,  and  the  field  of  labour  formerly  occupied  with  such 
distinguished  success  hy  the  apostolic  Swartz  ;  and  yet  their 
labourers  did  not  exceed  four  or  five  in  number  ;  while  so  inade- 
quate were  the  funds  for  the  support  of  this  undertaking,  that 
the  missionaries  were  accustomed  to  contribute  towards  its  ex- 
penses from  their  own  salary,  and  somstimes  even  from  their 
personal  property.  Such  was  the  extent  of  missionary  exertion 
in  the  Church  of  England  about  the  beginning  of  the  present 
century. 

With  the  knowledge  of  these  facts,  it  appeared  to  several 
pious  and  reflecting  minds,  that  an  effort  ought  to  be  made, 
more  commensurate  with  the  credit  and  dignity  of  the  Estab- 
lished Church,  the  claims  of  the  Heathen,  and  the  ample  facili- 
ties possessed  by  this  country  for  communicating  the  blessings 
of  the  Gospel.  Without,  therefore,  presuming  to  impeach  ex- 
isting societies  for  neglecting  a  field  of  labour  which  they  never 
undertook  to  cultivate,  duty  loudly  demanded  a  vigorous  effort 
to  rouse  the  dormant  energies  of  the  public  by  a  powerful  ap- 
peal to  facts  and  arguments,  and  to  stimulate  British  Christians 
to  dispense  that  Gospel  which  the  providence  and  grace  of  God 
had  entrusted  to  their  hands.  The  appeal  was  made,  nor  was 
it  made  in  vain  ;  and  the  Church  Missionary  Society,  forming 
its  plans  on  the  doctrine  and  discipline  of  the  Church  of  Eng- 
land, commenced  its  career,  by  selecting  Africa  and  the  East 
as  the  scene  of  its  future  operations. 

It  is  due  to  this  society  to  state,  that,  considering  the  difli-^ 
culties  it  had  to  encounter,  both  at  home  and  abroad,  all  its 
proceedings  have  been  marked  by  singular  judgment,  uniform 
Christian  conciliation,  a  well  regulated  and  chastised  zeal,  and 
that  which  forms  the  real  and  effective  weapon  of  all  missionary 
enterprise — a  spirit  of  humility,  and  faith  in  the  power  and 
promises  of  God.  It  is  also  no  small  praise,  that  this  society 
was  the  first  in  the  church  of  England  that  ever  attempted  to 
repair  the  wrongs  of  injured  Africa,  by  conferring  upon  it  the 
blessings  of  the  Gospel, — the  first  that  wiped  away  tht  re- 


MEMOIRS  OF  THE 


proach  from  our  church,  of  having  never  sent  labourers  from 
mnong  her  own  sons,  to  go  forth  in  the  cause  of  the  Heathen.  We 
may,  however,  now  refer,  with  emotions  of  gratitude  and  praise, 
to  her  missionary  seminary,  to  the  hving  witnesses  of  reviving 
piety,  and  to  those  who  have  already  finished  their  course  with 
,  joy,  after  having  borne  the  heat  and  burden  of  the  day,  leaving 
others  to  reap  the  harvest  which  they  sowed  in  tears.  Such 
were  Martyn,  and  Johnson,  and  Brooks,  and  Palmer,  and  men 
like-minded  ;  of  whom  we  may  exclaim,  "  these  all  died  in  faith, 
not  having  received  the  promises,  but  having  seen  them  afar  off, 
and  were  persuaded  of  them,  and  embraced  them,  and  confessed 
that  they  were  strangers  and  pilgrims  on  the  earth." — Heb.  xi. 
13.  This  Society  is  at  present  honoured  with  the  sanction  of 
nine  of  the  prelates  of  our  own  church. 

The  society  for  promoting  Christianity  among  the  Jews  owes 
its  origin  to  the  conviction  that,  amidst  the  prevailing  desire  to 
extend  the  blessings  of  the  Gospel  to  the  world  at  large,  the 
exclusion  of  the  ancient  people  of  God  was  an  act  unauthorized 
and  unjust.  The  divine  command  is  positive  and  express,  go 
and  preach  the  Gospel  to  every  creature  the  Jew,  therefore, 
must  be  supposed  to  be  included  in  this  command,  and  to  have 
all  the  common  claims  of  the  Heathen,  with  the  prior  rights  of 
the  Jew.  The  order  emphatically  given,  was  "  to  begin  at 
Jerusalem and  the  Gospel  is  represented  to  be  the  power  of 
God,  "  to  the  Jew  first,^^  and  also  to  the  Greek.  The  assertion 
that  the  Jews  are  not  to  be  converted  by  human  agency,  but  by- 
some  extraordinary  display  of  Almighty  power — that  the  time  is 
not  yet  come — that  they  are  in  a  state  of  judicial  blindness,  and 
too  degraded  to  encourage  any  reasonable  hope  for  their  con- 
version, forms  no  ground  for  the  neglect  of  a  divine  command. 
The  Jew  is  an  alien  from  God,  and  needs  mercy  ;  and  it  is  this 
need,  and  the  authority  of  a  divine  command,  that  constitutes  his 
right  to  the  offer — if  he  rejects  it,  the  responsibility  is  his  own — 
if  the  offer  be  withheld,  the  responsibility  is  ours  ;  because  it  is 
not  the  secret  purpose  of  God,  but  his  declared  will,  that  is  the 
basis  and  rule  of  our  conduct.  The  difficulties  of  the  attempt 
may  be  alledged  :  but  difficulties  form  no  justification  for  dis- 
obeying a  divine  command.  Besides,  what  are  difficulties  in 
the  hand  of  Omnipotence  !  What  is  moral  darkness  to  him 
ihat  can  turn  darkness  into  the  light  of  noon-day  ! 

At  the  very  moment  that  we  are  now  writing,  the  extraordi- 
nary signs  of  the  times,  and  the  gradual  waning  of  the  Crescent 
on  the  shores  of  the  false  prophet,  give  a  character  of  intense 
interest  to  the  future  destinies  of  the  Jewish  nation.    If  the 


REV.  LEGH  RICHMOND. 


113 


grand  crisis,  pointed  at  by  prophecy,  to  whi^^h  the  servants  of 
God  look  with  anxious  sohcitude,  should  indeed  be  approaching, 
who  does  not  see,  in  the  events  which  will  probably  follow  that 
crisis,  the  removal  of  an  apparent  barrier  to  the  accomplishment 
of  the  purposes  of  God  respecting  his  ancient  people  1  It  is 
true,  the  times  and  seasons  the  Father  hath  reserved  in  his  own 
hands,  nor  is  it  for  erring  mortals  presumptuously  tp  intrude  into 
the  secrets  of  his  counsel.  But  as  the  Almighty  has  connected 
the  fulfilment  of  his  purposes  with  the  agency  of  certain  causes, 
when  this  agency  seems  to  be  exerted,  we  may  turn  with  joyful 
hope,  and  hail  the  hour  of  Israel's  salvation.  "There  shall 
come  out  of  Sion  the  Deliverer,  who  shall  turn  away  ungodliness 
from  Jacob.'' — Rom.  xi.  26. 

Nor  ought  we  to  omit,  as  a  most  powerful  argument  in  favour 
of  this  society,  that  the  promises  will  never  receive  their  final 
accomplishment,  nor  the  Church  of  Christ  attain  to  the  full 
maturity  of  its  high  and  holy  calling,  till  the  natural  branches  be 
again  grafted  in  by  the  same  Almighty  power  which  suffered  their 
excision. 

It  is  here,  however,  important  to  state  distinctly,  that  this  so- 
ciety does  not  take  its  sanction  from  the  prophecies  which  re- 
spect the  final  restoration  of  the  Jews.  Nor  does  it  presume 
to  determine  in  what  manner,  or  at  what  period,  the  Jews  as  a 
nation  are  to  be  converted  ;  whether  by  some  miraculous  inter- 
position, or  by  human  instrumentality,  or  by  both.  These  sub- 
jects it  leaves  to  every  man's  private  judgment,  and  is  not  re- 
sponsible fgr  the  peculiar  sentiments  of  any  of  its  advocates.  It 
acts  on  the  simple  principle  of  precept  and  duhj — that  the  Jew 
has  long  rejected  the  faith  of  Christ,  and  yet  cannot  be  saved 
without  it ;  and  that  it  is  our  bounden  obligation,  as  Christians, 
to  direct  him  to  the  remedy  which  we  possess,  and  which  he 
needs.  This  is  the  foundation  on  which  the  society  prefers  its 
claim.  The  known  purpose  and  design  of  God  is  an  encou- 
ragement to  its  faith,  but  it  is  his  divine  command  alone  which  is 
the  rule  and  authority  for  its  undertaking.  So  long  as  it  adheres 
to  this  fundamental  principle,  it  occupies  a  station,  from  which 
no  sophistry  or  ingenuity  of  argument  can  dislodge  it.  If  it  de- 
parts from  this  simple  principle,  it  may  gratify  the  predilections 
of  a  few,  but  it  will  not  fail  to  alienate  others.  The  society's 
strength  and  wisdom  is  evidently  to  adopt  a  basis  in  which  none 
can  disagree,  and  all  may  be  willing  to  unite. 

There  is  another  society  which  demands  our  notice — the 
Prayer-book  and  Homily  Society.  In  the  navy,  no  means  ex- 
isted for  distributing  the  book  of  Common  Prayer  among  that 


114 


MEMOIRS  OP  THE 


valuable  body  of  men,  who  risk  their  lives  for  the  defence  of 
•  their  country.  The  society  was  formed  to  supply  this  deficien- 
cy. But,  independently  of  this  call  for  its  exertions,  Prayer 
Books  were  generally  published  and  circulated  at  that  time, 
without  the  insertion  of  the  Articles  of  our  Church — those  Arti- 
cles which  are  the  appointed  standard  of  her  doctrine,  the  guide 
to  her  worshippers,  and  the  intended  security  against  all  declen- 
sions and  corruptions  in  her  faith!  As  a  consequence  of  this 
omission,  a  large  portion  of  her  members  were  utterly  unac- 
^[uainted  with  the  very  existence  of  those  Articles — and  a  refe- 
rence to  them  in  the  pulpit  had  become  a  matter  of  rare  occur- 
rence. 

We  may  further  observe,  that  not  a  single  copy  of  the  book  of 
Homilies  was  to  be  obtained  thy^ough  the  medium  of  any  existing 
society  in  the  Church  of  England.  And  yet  these  very  Homi- 
lies were  set  forth  by  authority,  originally  appointed  to  be  read 
in  churches  by  the  ministers,  diligently  and  distinctly ;  and  are 
recognized  in  the  Articles,  to  which  every  minister  declares  his 
solemn  assent,  as  "  containing  a  godly  and  wholesome  doc- 
trine!" When,  therefore,  these  necessary  bulwarks  of  our 
church,  the  Articles  which  record  her  faith,  and  the  Homilies 
which  illustrate  and  enforce  it,  were  thus  rendered  almost  inac- 
cessible, we  would  ask  of  every  impartial  and  reflecting  mind, 
whether  there  was  no  just  ground  of  apprehension  that  the  pu- 
rity of  Christian  doctrine  might  be  ultimately  corrupted  ? — whe- 
ther the  general  tone  of  preaching  in  our  pulpits  at  that  time, 
and  before  that  time,  did  not,  in  many  respects,  justify  that  ap- 
prehension?— and  whether  doctrine  was  not  treated  as  an  incon- 
siderable part  of  Christianity,  and  practical  duties  held  up  as  the 
sum  and  substance  of  all  true  reUgion? 

At  the  suggestion,  therefore,  of  Mr.  Richmond,  fhe  book  of 
Homilies  was  added  to  the  society's  original  object. 

The  unpromising  state  of  public  feeling,  prior  to  the  establish- 
ment of  these  societies,  has  already  been  adverted  to.  The 
change  subsequently  produced,  is  obvious  to  all.  We  may 
hence  learn  an  important  lesson : — a  nation,  comparatively 
speaking,  may  be  sunk  in  religious  apathy ;  the  zeal  and  piety 
of  churches  may  lie  dormant,  and  the  prospect  may  appear  dark 
and  lowering.  But  amidst  general  declensions,  some  characters 
are  always  preserved  by  the  power  and  grace  of  God  from  the 
contaminating  effects  of  the  surrounding  lukewarmness  ;  and  it 
is  to  their  efforts  that  we  must  look,  at  such  times,  for  the^eeded 
revival.  If  it  be  asked,  how  are  these  efforts  to  be  em- 
ployed ?  We  answer,  use  the  necessary  means,  in  dependance 
upon  a  divine  power,  and  let  the  public  mind  be  roused  and  exs 


HEV.  LEGH  RICHMOND, 


115 


Cited.  Men  have  intelligence,  affections,  conscience,  and  capa- 
cities of  action.  These  properties  may  grow  torpid,  but  they 
are  not  extinguished  ;  they  require  only  to  be  called  into  action. 
Let  us  deal,  then,  with  men  as  moral  agents.  Let  us  address 
to  the  understanding y  arguments  calculated  to  inform  and  con- 
vince— to  the  heart,  what  is  likely  to  impress  and  engage — and 
to  the  conscience,  what  is  best  suited  to  rouse  it  from  its  state  of 
torpor.  Let  us  apply  the  exciting  principle,  and  be  unwearied 
in  invoking  the  divine  blessing,  which  can  alone  crown  our  ef- 
forts with  success,  and  God  "  will  open  rivers  in  high  places,  and 
fountains  in  the  midst  of  the  valleys;  he  will  make  the  wilderness 
a  pool  of  water,  and  the  dry  land  springs  of  water.^^ — Isa. 
xli.  18. 

Let  churches  and  states,  legislators  and  prelates,  ministers  oi 
the  sanctuary,  and  individuals  in  their  respective  families,  adopt 
this  principle ;  and  communities  will  prosper,  churches  will  re- 
vive, and  the  domestic  altar  will  never  want  a  sacrifice,  nor  God 
withhold  a  blessing. 

And  yet  it  is  this  very  principle  of  excitement,  as  applied  to 
the  rehgious  institutions  of  the  day,  which  has  been  most 
strongly  censured.  The  system  of  public  meetings,  the  ad- 
dresses, sermons,  biblical  and  missionary  tours,  have  been  the 
subject  of  severe  reprehension  with  the  opponents  of  these  so- 
cieties. But  it  is  this  very  system  which  has  elicited  the  morai 
energies  of  the  country,  and  given  one  simultaneous  and  unpa- 
valleled  impulse  to  all  its  public  institutions.  By  its  direct  or 
indirect  tendency,  it  has  localized  among  us  every  form  of  cha- 
rity that  can  afford  an  asylum  to  distress — to  crime,  the  means 
of  reformation — to  ignorance,  the  benefit  of  instruction — and  to^ 
penitent  guilt  the  hope  of  mercy  and  salvation.  And  while  it 
has  conferred  such  blessings  at  home,  it  has  procured  for  our 
land  the  honourable  appellation  of  "  The  Zion  of  the  whole 
earth."  It  is  to  the  publicity  of  these  societies,  next  to  their 
intrinsic  value  and  importance,  that  we  are  to  ascribe  so  large  a 
portion  of  their  popularity  and  success.  If  they  were  less  pub- 
lic, they  would  be  less  known ;  if  they  were  less  known  they 
would  be  less  supported  ;  and  if  they  were  less  supported,  their 
efficiency  would  be  proportionably  impaired.  An  institution,  to 
be  popular  in  this  country,  must  be  brought  in  contact  with  public 
opinion.  The  men  who  conduct  it  must  be  seen,  heard,  known, 
loved,  and  respected  ;  the  subject  of  it  must  be  carried  home  to 
the  heart,  and  descend  through  all  the  various  gradations  in  so- 
ciety ;  be  as  accessible  to  the  poor  as  to  the  rich — to  the  unlearned, 
as  to  the  learned — to  the  humblest  cottage,  as  well  as  to  the  lordly 


116  MEIMOIRS  OF  THEi 


mansion.  It  will  thus  secure  the  patronage  and  liberality  of  th^ 
wealthy,  the  approbation  of  the  wise,  and  the  benediction  of  the 
poor.  These  advantages  have  pre-eminently  distinguished  the 
institutions  of  v/hich  we  are  speaking  ;  and  so  long  as  the  prin- 
ciple oi  publicity  characterizes  almost  every  undertaking  of  a 
secular  nature,  why  are  religious  objects  alone  to  be  debarred 
the  benefit  of  ihis  principle,  where  the  application  of  strong  sti- 
mulants is  the  more  necessary,  in  proportion  as  the  end  proposed 
is  more  momentous,  and  men  are  less  disposed  to  appreciate  its 
importance  ? 

But  Mr.  Richmond,  and  others  of  the  clergy,  who  have  been 
most  active  in  supporting  these  institutions,  have  been  charged 
■with  absenting  themselves  from  their  parishes,  and  have  been 
"branded  with  the  title  of  itinerants.  Nothing  is  more  easy  than 
to  use  terms  of  reproach  ;  but  reproach  is  not  argument.  The 
real  and  only  question  for  consideration  is,  whether  public  so- 
cieties can  be  effectively  carried  on  without  the  agency  of  public 
advocates?  The  result  of  experience  is  conclusive,  that  so- 
cieties depending  only  on  local  means  for  their  support,  are  in 
the  most  dechning  state.  Men,  too,  who  are  in  the  habit  of 
contributing  their  money  to  a  public  cause,  "think,  and  with  jus- 
tice, that  they  are  entitled,  in  return,  to  a  detail  of  its  operations 
from  those  who,  by  their  connexion  with  the  parent  institution, 
and  from  the  sources  to  which  they  have  access,  are  best  quali- 
fied to  communicate  information.  Admitting,  then,  the  justness 
of  this  remark — from  what  class  are  pubhc  advocates  to  be  se- 
lected 1  From  among  laymen  or  ministers  ?  The  professional 
habits,  experience,  and  education  of  the  latter,  evidently  consti- 
tute them  the  fittest  organs  of  communication  to  all  religious  in- 
stitutions. How  to  reconcile  these  public  exertions  with  paro- 
chial duties,  is,  therefore,  the  only  remaining  consideration.  Let 
it  be  observed,  that  every  clergyman  is  legally  entitled  to  an  ab- 
sence of  three  months  in  every  year,  on  the  presumption  that 
he  will  provide  a  proper  substitute.  If,  then,  a  minister,  uncon- 
nected with  public  objects,  should  choose  to  avail  himself  of  this 
privilege,  for  the  purpose  of  allowable  recreation,  or  from  any 
other  motive,  would  his  conduct  be  considered  as  affording  any 
reasonable  ground  for  reproach?  Why,  then,  should  another 
minister,  in  the  exercise  of  the  same  privilege,  and  using  the 
same  precautions,  be  the  subject  of  animadversion,  because, 
instead  of  appropriating  the  allotted  period  to  a  watering  place, 
or  to  any  other  object,  his  principles  and  conscience  lead  him  to 
devote  his  leisure  to  the  more  important  claims  of  a  religious  in- 
stitution ? 


REV.  LEGH  RICHMOND. 


117 


Each  itinerates ;  each  is  occasionally  absent  from  his  parish 
—-with  this  distinction,  that  one  is  occupied  with  engagements 
most  interesting  to  himself ;  the  other  consecrates  his  time,  his 
talents,  and  his  strength,  to  the  service  of  the  cause  of  God, 
and  leaven  for  a  while  the  hmited,  though  important  scene  of 
his  own  parish,  to  aid  in  the  dissemination  of  light  and  know- 
ledge to  the  remotest  regions  of  the  earth. 

Another  charge,  with  equal  injustice,  urged  against  these 
societies,  is,  that  they  assume  an  authority  with  which  they  are 
not  legally  invested  ;  that  they  are  self-constituted,  and  self- 
authorised.  As  this  accusation  has  Leen  often  and  pubHcIy 
repeated,  and  may  seem  to  have  acquired  some  vahdity  from  t  le 
occasions  on  which  it  has  been  uttered,  it  must  not  pass  unnoticed. 

The  Church  Missionary  Society,  as  well  as  others  of  recent 
origin  in  the  Estabhshed  Church,  was  a  voluntai^  association, 
founded  on  the  principle,  and  resting  on  the  basis,  of  all  other 
similar  associations  ;  and,  therefore,  to  impeach  one  is  to  im- 
peach all,  and  to  strike  at  the  root  of  every  voluntary  associa- 
tion throughout  the  kingdom. 

If  it  be  said,  that  it  is  its  religious  character,  and  its  usurpa- 
tion of  rights  that  can  only  be  legally  exercised  by  chartered 
bodies,  that  forms  the  real  ground  of  offence  ;  this  charge  will 
be  found  to  militate  equally  against  the  claims  of  another  vene- 
rable society,  which,  though  aiming  at  a  religious  end,  neverthe- 
less owes  its  origin  to  a  voluntary  association,  and  possesses  no 
chartered  right,  nor  specific  legal  character,  to  the  present  hour. 
The  weapon,  therefore,  that  is  raised  to  assault  a  foe,  may  un- 
consciously inflict  a  wound  upon  a  friend. 

We  might  rest  the  question  of  authority  simply  on  the  ground 
of  imperious  necessity,  which  is  a  law  in  itself,  superseding  all 
other  considerations.  We  might  urge,  that  the  power  and  the 
will  to  do  good  constitute  the  authority  to  do  good  ;  and  that, 
so  long  as  souls  are  immortal,  the  first  duty  of  christian  zeal  is 
to  employ  means  to  save  them.  But  we  content  ourselves  by 
referring  to  an  authority,  against  which  there  is  no  appeal — the 
authority  of  public  opinion  ;  that  public  opinion  which  exercises 
its  vigilant  control  over  all  human  proceedings  ;  which  legislates 
both  for  Governments  and  Churches  ;  and  erects  a  tribunal,  to 
the  decisions  of  which  the  throne  and  the  altar  are  compelled  to 
be  ultimately  subject.  To  arraign,  therefore,  these  public  in- 
stitutions, is  in  fact  to  arraign  public  opinion,  which  has  decided 
that  they  were  needed,  and  has  thought  proper  to  sanction  them 
by  its  support ;  and  so  long  as  it  honours  them  with  such  tokens 
of  its  confidence,  and  makes  them  the  depositories  of  its 

11 


118 


MEMOIRS  OF  THE 


bounty,  it  surely  becomes  a  paramount  obligation  to  fulfil  thcf 
trust.  To  act  otherwise,  would  be  to  shrink  from  a  duty,  with 
the  means  of  performing  it ;  to  alienate  a  friend,  without  the 
hope  of  gaining  an  enemy.  It  is  to  withdraw,  when  success 
encourages  us  to  advance  ;  and  to  sound  a  retreat,  with  the  em- 
blems of  spiritual  conquest  in  our  hands.  It  is  to  commit  a 
double  fraud  ;  a  fraud  on  those  at  home,  who  are  willing  to 
give  ; — on  those  abroad,  who  are  no  less  willing  to  receive.  It 
is  to  abandon  scenes  ot  labour,  which  God  has  specially  ho- 
noured with  his  blessing  ;  and  to  extinguish  the  light  of  the 
Gospel  where  it  has  begun  to  shed  its  dawn,  with  the  glorious 
prospect  of  "  shining  more  and  more  unto  the  perfect  day." 

We  lament  any  disposition  to  depreciate  societies,  which  con** 
fer  so  much  lustre  on  the  present  age,  and  which  are  so  emi- 
nently calculated  to  uphold  the  moral  dignity  of  our  own  Churchy 
and  to  extend  its  usefulness.  The  period  no  longer  exists, 
when  the  name  alone  of  the  Church  of  England  w£is  sufficient 
to  inspire  respect  and  homage.  Prescriptive  rights  have  van- 
ished ;  the  partition  wall  is  thrown  down ;  and  henceforth  we 
must  appeal,  not  to  the  number  and  extent  of  our  immunities, 
but  to  the  utility  of  our  services,  and  the  excellency  of  our  prin*- 
ciples.  In  the  present  day,  every  thing  is  undergoing  the 
solemn  ordeal  of  public  opinion.  To  oppose  its  decisions  is 
unwise  in  policy,  impracticable  in  its  object,  and  highly  injurious 
to  the  Church,  the  interests  of  which  we  profess  to  promote. 
We  may  plead  zeal  in  her  cause,  but  zeal  without  charity  is  in- 
tolerance ;  and  prejudices,  which  are  blameable  in  all,  are  crimi- 
nal in  the  minister  of  Christ.  We  may  think  that  we  are  doing 
God  service,  and  at  the  same  time  be  fighting  against  him.  We 
would  earnestly  call,  then,  on  the  members  of  our  own  cont- 
munion,  and  especially  on  the  younger  clergy,  (while  in  the 
vigour  of  their  strength,  and  their  full  capacity  for  usefulness,) 
to  co-operate  in  these  truly  Christian  eflforts,  and  to  recognize 
the  finger  of  God  in  their  design  and  progress.  Nor  can  we 
refrain  expressing  the  ardent  wish,  that  prejudices  may  be  re- 
moved, dissensions  cease,  and  that  all  Christian  people  would 
offer  up  unceasinsj  prayer  to  the  Almighty,  for  his  spirit  to  be- 
come the  workman  of  this  mighty  machinery,  unto  his  own 
glory,  and  the  moral  regeneration  of  mankind.  "  Ye  that  make 
mention  of  the  Lord,  keep  not  silence,  and  give  him  no  rest, 
till  he  establish,  and  till  he  make  Jerusalem  a  praise  in  the 
earth." — Jsa,  Ixii.  6,  7. 


REV.  LEGH  RICHxMOIVD. 


119 


CHAPTER  IX. 

Bi8  anniversary  sermon  for  the  Church  Jilissionary  Society — >■ 
J\Ieetino  at  Bedford,  in  behalf  of  the  Jews — Bedfordshire 
Bible  Society — Tours  for  the  Jewish  and  Church  JVLissionary 
Societies — Extracts  from  his  Journals — Success  of  these  tours 
— Their  influence  on  the  general  interests  of  religion — On  his 
own  personal  improvement ; —  On  that  of  his  parish  and  family. 

We  have  before  alluded  to  the  anniversary  sermon,  preached 
by  Mr.  Richmond  for  the  Church  Missionary  Society,  in  May, 
1809.  It  is  much  to  be  lamented  that  one  so  capable  of  con- 
tributing to  the  stock  of  valuable  theological  discourses,  should 
have  composed  only  three  sermons  for  the  press  ;  two  of  them 
published  during  his  residence  in  the  Isle  of  ^Vight,  and  the 
third,  which  we  now  propose  to  consider,  after  his  removal  to 
Turvey.  This  deficiency  is  one  of  the  consequences  of  extem- 
pore preaching;  and  ministers  of  acknowledi^ed  talents  and  use- 
fulness would  do  well  to  remember,  that  they  owe  to  the  church 
some  lasting  memorials  of  their  pastoral  labours,  and  of  their 
zeal  for  the  general  interests  of  religion. 

Mr.  Richmond  has  received  many  urgent  representations 
from  the  writer,  on  this  subject  ;  but  his  unceasing  engage- 
ments, his  extensive  correspondence,  and  the  more  immediate 
claims  of  duty,  were  always  pleaded  in  excuse.  \n  examii  a- 
tion  of  his  missionary  sermon  will  enable  the  reader  to  form 
some  judgment  of  Mr.  Richmond's  powers  of  compo?sition.  as 
well  as  afford  an  illustration  of  his  sentiments  on  the  important 
subject  of  missions. 

His  text  is  taken  from  John  xxi.  16 — "  He  saith  unto  him 
again,  the  second  time,  '  Simon  son  of  Jonas,  lovest  thou  meV 
He  saith  unto  him,  '  Yea,  Lord,  thou  knowest  that  I  love  thee.' 
He  saith  unto  him,  '  Feed  my  sheep.'  (.'ommenting  on  these 
words,  he  briefly  describes  the  peculiar  interest  and  solemnity 
of  the  occasion  ; — the  question  proposed  :  "  Lovest  thou  me?" 
The  answer  given  :  "  Yea,  Lord,  th  >u  knowest  that  1  love 
fhee."  The  successive  repetition  of  the  question,  and  Peter's 
asseveration,  '*  Lord,  thou  knowest  all  things,  thou  knowest 
that  I  love  thee  ;"  and  the  final  command  of  the  Saviour, 
obedience  to  which  is  the  test  of  the  sincerity  of  the  profession  ; 

Feed  my  sheep."    The  motive  of  love  to  Christ  is  deduced 


/ 


120 


MEMOIRS  OP  THE 


as  the  only  adequate  and  scriptural  stimulus  to  missionary  ex 
ertion  ;  and  the  commandment  given,  to  feed  his  flock,  declares 
the  nature  and  object  of  the  duty  required.  The  application  of 
the  whole  to  ourselves  is  inferred  from  the  commission  given  to 
Peter  and  the  apostles,  as  the  representatives  of  the  Church 
Universal  to  the  end  of  time  ;  and  from  the  fact,  that  general 
exhortations,  founded  upon  Christ's  general  promises  to  his 
church,  admit  of  no  limitation,  either  of  time  or  place.  He  next 
inquires — 

fVIio  are  the  sheep  of  Christ  ? 

Why  ought  they  to  be  fed  1 

When?  V 

By  whom  ? 

With  what  food  must  they  be  fed,  nourished,  and  supported  ? 

We  pass  over  the  first  three  as  obvious  in  their  meaningj. 

In  answering  the  inquiry, — "  who  shall  be  the  missionaries  V- 
lie  observes,  "  the  shepherds  whom  you  set  apart  to  this  ho- 
nourable labour  of  feeding  and  nourishing  souls  for  Christ,  must 
bp  men  who  love  Christ  for  the  salvation  which  he  hath  wrought 
in  their  own  souls  ;  men,  who  '  feel  in  themselves  the  working 
of  the  Spirit  of  Christ,  mortifying  the  works  of  the  flesh,  and  their 
earthly  members,  and  drawing  up  their  mind  to  high  and 
heavenly  things.'"  {Art.  17.)  They  must  be  men,  not  of 
warmth  and  zeal  alone,  but  of  solidity,  patience,  and  perseve- 
rance ;  men  who,  like  their  Lord,  can  endure  the  contradiction 
of  sinners.  For  the  most  part,  it  is  not  so  often  men  of  exten- 
sive learning,  of  genius,  and  superior  literary  talents,  who  are 
wanted,  as  men  of  simplicity  and  sincerity  ;  men  ♦)f  prayer  and 
meditation  ;  men  who  so  love  C  hrist,  as  to  be  willing  to  spend 
and  be  spent,  for  his  sake  ;  men  of  subdued  passions  and  morti- 
fied minds,  who  patiently  wait  for  the  comjng  of  our  Lord  Jesus 
Christ. 

In  his  next  important  consideration, — "  wherewith  they  are 
to  be  fed,"  the  followi  g  remarks  claim  the  attention  of  all  who 
are  engaged  in  the  cause  of  missions. 

Preach  Christ,  as  a  free,  full,  perfect,  and  all-sufficient  Sa- 
viour to  the  greatest  of  sinners.  The  sheep  of  Christ,  whether 
at  home  or  abroad,  will  hear  and  know  their  own  good  Shep- 
herd's voice,  and  none  other.  Proclaim,  as  from  the  house-top, 
*  that  God  commendeth  his  love  towards  us,  in  that  while  we 
were  yet  sinners,  Christ  died  for  us ;'  and  thus  accomplished 
that  wonder  of  men  and  angels, '  that  God  might  be  just  and  the 
justifier  of  the  sinner  which  believeth  in  Jesus.' 

"  Preach  to  them  the  blood  of  Christ ;  its  atoning  and  clean^ 


REV.  LEGH  RICHAIONO. 


121 


slug  power.  Send  over  your  missionary  shepherds,  to  feed  the 
flock  of  Christ  among  the  Heathen,  with  the  wholesome  bread 
and  the  pure  water  of  life.  We  must  not  trifle  in  this  matter. 
It  is  the  cause  of  God  and  truth.  JVlinole  therefore  nothing 
with  (heir  food ;  disguise  it  not  with  any  self-accommodating 
explanations.  It  is  not  the  equivocal  language  of  a  mere  fa- 
shionable profession  of  the  Gospel,  that  will  convey  the  w^ord 
and  substance  of  salvation  to  the  soul  of  either  a  nominal  Chris- 
tian, or  a  real  Heathen. 

Let  the  hemisphere  of  light,  which  is  to  burst  upon  the 
dark  mountains  where  now  the  Heathen  sheep  are  scattered,  be 
unsullied  and  without  a  cloud.  Be  ye  pastors  according  to 
God's  heart,  and  feed  them  with  knowledge  and  understanding. 
Christ  living,  Christ  obeying,  Christ  dying,  Christ  risen.  Christ 
ascended,  and  Christ  interceding  for  sinners  .  this  is  the  true 
bread  of  life.  Our  commission  to  feed  his  sheep  runs  thus ; 
'  Go  ye  and  teach  all  nations,  baptizing  them  in  the  name  of 
?he  Father,  and  of  the  Son.  and  of  the  Holy  Ghost.'  Hence, 
the  lov6  of  the  Father,  in  giving  sinners  to  Christ ;  the  love  of 
the  Son,  in  dying  for  their  redemption  ,  and  the  love  of  the 
Spirit,  in  sanctifying  and  preparing  them  for  glory,  are  the  grand 
themes  for  Christian  meditation.  )Vhen  these  invaluable  truths 
are  enforced  in  a  practical  and  experimental  manner,  the  sheep 
of  Christ  are  truly  fed,  according  to  their  good  Shepherd's  de- 
sign and  commandment;  and  so  shall  they  live  and  prosper." 

In  illustration  of  the  foregoing  remarks,  he  quotes  the  follow- 
ing testimony  of  Johannes,  a  converted  Heathen,  and  w^ho  also 
became  a  blessed  witness  of  the  truth  to  his  own  nation.  The 

I  circumstance  is  recorded  in  the  history  of  the  missions  of  the 

I  United  Brethren  among  the  Indian  nations  of  North  America. 
"  Brethren,  I  have  been  a  Heathen,  and  have  grown  old 

'  amongst  them :  therefore  I  know  very  well  how  it  is  with  the 
Heathen,  and  how  they  think.  A  preacher  once  came  to  us, 
desiring  to  instruct  us  ;  and  began  by  proving  to  us,  that  there 
was  a  God.  On  which  we  said  to  him,  '  Well,  and  dost  thou 
think  we  are  ignorant  of  that?   Now  go  back  again  to  the  place 

I  from  whence  thou  earnest.' 

Then  again,  another  preacher  came,  and  began  to  instruct 
us,  saying, '  you  luust  not  steal,  nor  drink  too  much,  nor  lie,  nor 
lead  wicked  lives.'  We  answered  him  :  '  Fool  that  thou  art, 
dost  thou  think  that  we  do  not  know  that  ?  Go  and  learn  it 
first  thyself,  and  teach  the  people  whom  thou  belongest  to,  not 
#0  do  those  things.    For  who  are  greater  drunkards,  or  thieves. 


11^ 


122 


MEMOIRS  OP  THE 


or  liars,  than  thine  own  people  ?  Thus  we  sent  him  away 
also.' 

"  Some  time  after  this,  Christian  Henry,  one  ofihe  Brethren, 
came  to  me  into  my  hut,  and  sat  down  by  me.  The  contents  of 
his  discourse  to  me  were  nearly  these  :  '  I  come  to  thee  in  the 
name  of  the  Lord  of  heaven  and  earth.  He  sends  me  to  ac- 
quaint thee,  that  he  would  gladly  save  thee,  and  make  thee  hap- 
py, and  deliver  thee  from  the  miserable  state  in  which  thou  liest 
at  present.  To  this  end  he  became  a  man,  gave  his  hfe  a  ran- 
som for  man,  and  shed  his  blood  for  man.  All  that  believe  in 
the  name  of  this  Jesus,  obtain  the  forgiveness  of  sin.  To  all 
them  that  receive  him  by  faith,  he  giveth  power  to  become  the 
sons  of  God.  /  he  Holy  Spirit  dwelleth  in  their  hearts,  and 
they  are  made  free,  through  the  blood  of  Christ,  from  the  slave- 
ry and  dominion  of  sin.  And  though  thou  art  the  chief  of  sin- 
ners, yet  if  thou  prayest  to  the  Father  in  his  name,  and  believest 
in  him  as  a  sacrifice  for  thy  sins,  thou  shalt  be  heard  and  saved, 
and  he  will  give  thee  a  crown  of  life,  and  thou  shalt  live  with 
him  in  heaven  for  ever.' 

"  A\  hen  he  had  finished  his  discourse,  he  laid  down  upon  a 
board  in  my  hut,  fatigued  by  his  journey,  and  fell  into  a  sound 
sleep.  I  thought  within  myself,  '  What  manner  of  man  is  this  ? 
There  he  lies,  and  sleeps  so  sweetly — I  might  kill  him,  and 
throw  him  into  the  forest,  and  who  would  regard  it  ?  But  he  is 
unconcerned — this  cannot  be  a  bad  man  ;  he  fears  no  evil,  not 
even  from  us,  who  are  so  savage  ;  but  sleeps  comfortably,  and 
places  his  life  in  our  hands.' 

"  However,  I  could  not  'forget  his  words  ;  they  constantly 
recurred  to  my  mind ;  even  though  I  went  to  sleep,  yet  I  dream- 
ed of  the  blood  which  Christ  had  shed  for  us.  I  thought  *  this 
is  very  strange,  and  quite  different  from  what  I  have  ever  heard.' 
So  I  went  and  interpreted  Christian  Henry's  words  to  the  other 
Indians. 

"  Thus,  through  the  grace  of  God  an  awakening  took  place 
among  us.  I  tell  you,  therefore,  brethren,"  said  he,  "  preach  to 
the  Heathen,  Christ,  and  his  blood,  his  sufferings,  and  his  death, 
if  you  would  have  your  words  to  gain  entrance  among  them  ;  if 
you  wish  to  confer  a  blessing  upon  them."* 

But  the  passage  in  Mr.  Richmond's  sermon  which  produced 
the  strongest  impression  upon  his  hearers,  was  the  following. 

*  See  Crantz's  History  of  the  Greenland  Mission,  a  most  interesting  publi- 
cation, in  %vhich  the  preaching  of  the  Cross  led  to  a  general  awakening  of  the 
Greenianders,  after  the  preliminary  truths  of  religion  had  been  brought  before 
them  nearly  eighteen  years  with  little  or  no  effect. 


REV   LEGH  RICHMOND. 


123 


I  stand  before  you  this  day,  as  an  ambassador  for  Christ,  in 
the  cause  of  those  who  are  ready  to  perish.  In  his  and  their 
name,  I  beseech  you  to  hear  me,  while  I  propose  a  few  conside- 
rations to  your  attention. 

"  Consider  the  state  of  the  world,  its  empires,  nations,  kin- 
dred, and  tribes.  When  a  map  of  the  world  is  presented  to  the 
eye,  with  what  a  variety  of  affections  is  it  viewed,  according  to 
the  character  and  pursuits  of  the  inspector! 

'  The  mere  statesman  diligently  examines  the  magnitude, 
position,  and  boundaries  of  other  countries,  with  a  sole  reference 
to  the  political  aggrandisement  of  his  own.  Wars,  conquests, 
treaties,  alliances,  and  a  multitude  of  considerations  connected 
with  ambition,  power,  and  national  honour,  dictate  and  accom- 
pany all  his  speculations  on  the  map.  And  then  he  has  done 
with  it,  and  lays  it  down. 

"  The  merchant  takes  up  the  map,  and  eagerly  traverses  the 
delineation  of  seas,  continents,  and  islands,  with  anxious  inquiry 
as  to  pecuniary  profit  and  loss,  trade  and  merchandise.  His 
thoughts  are  absorbed  in  considering  how  much  may  be  gained 
by  his  speculations  to  some  distant  island  or  foreign  shore.  He 
meditates  on  the  track"  of  his  vessel  upon  the  ocean,  marks  its 
course  upon  the  hazardous  waves,  and  is  full  of  agitation  with 
respect  to  its  fate.  There  is  his  golden  treasure,  and  his  heart 
is  there  also.  A.s  he  views  the  map.  he  conjectures,  hopes^ 
fears  ;  and,  with  much  solicitude,  contemplates  his  future  gains, 
or  dreads  impending  losses.  The  map  is  again  laid  down,  and 
he  has  done  with  it. 

"  The  curious  traveller  takes  up  the  map  of  the  world,  and  is 
-occupied  with  the  remembrance  or  anticipation  of  the  various 
customs,  manners,  dresses,  languages,  buildings,  and  ceremo- 
nies ;  with  a  long  list  of  wonders  and  amusements  that  have 
engaged  his  attention.  In  such  a  way'^his  imagination  travels 
over  the  whole  globe  ;  and  then  this  man's  contemplations  on 
the  map  are  likewise  concluded. 

The  natural  philosopher  investigates  the  various  productions 
of  this  diversified  globe  with  another  object.  Theories  of  the 
earth's  formation  ;  the  animal,  vegetable,  and  mineral  kingdoms, 
the  origin  of  volcanoes,  the  cause  of  earthquakes,  the  variation 
of  the  magnetic  needle,  all  afford  him  endless  subjects  of  exami- 
nation. Every  continent,  sea,  climate,  and  zone,  which  the 
map  presents  to  his  eye,  furnishes  him  with  matter  for  inquisitive 
speculation  :  and  then,  he  has  done  with  it  also. 

"  But,  when  the  Christian  beholds  the  world's  map,  he  has  a 
subject  of  investigation  far  beyond  them  all.    What  they  hnvf^ 


124 


MEMOIRS  OF  THE 


overlooked  and  disregarded,  is  every  thing  to  him.  His  great 
inquiry  is,  '  Shew  me  the  visible  kingdom  of  Christ :  name  the 
countries  where  Christ  is  known  and  worshipped.  Oh  !  when 
shall  the  kingdoms  of  this  world  become  the  kingdoms  of  our 
Lord  and  of  his  Christ  ?  When  shall  the  Heathen  fear  the  name 
of  the  Lord  V 

.  "  As  his  eye  traverses  the  globe,  he  sighs  over  the  awful  con- 
trast which  its  different  portions  exhibit.  His  own  soul  loves 
Jesus,  the  Saviour  of  men.  But  how  small  a  part  of  those  im- 
mense tracts  of  country  which  the  map  presents  to  his  view,  so 
much  as  know  whether  there  be  any  Christ !  What  nations  im- 
mersed in  Heathenish  idolatry  !  How  many  overrun  with  the 
tyrannical  superstition  of  Mahomet  !  Yea,  where  even  the 
name  of  Christ  is  professed,  how  many  are  sunk  into  the  deep 
mire  of  Popish  corruption,  or  virtual  infidelity !  How  small  a 
portion  seem  as  yet  to  belong  to  Christ ! 

'*  He  mourns  over  the  prospect,  but  does  not  lay  down  the 
map  and  think  no  more  of  it.  Again  and  again  he  takes  it  up, 
prays  for  the  sheep  of  Christ  in  distant  lands,  recommends  their 
case  to  God,  and  medilates  plans  for  their  deliverance.  He 
surveys  the  vast  continents  of  Asia  and  Africa,  and  for  the  most 
part  it  seems  to  be  darkness  visible.  Then  he  looks  for  his 
native  island  at  home,  endeared  to  him  by  a  thousand  conside- 
rations, but  most  endeared  on  account  of  the  Gospel  light  with 
which  she  is  blessed.  And  shall  not  the  rays  of  that  light  soon 
be  diffused,  as  from  a  centre,  to  all  the  surrounding  world  ] 
Doth  not  a  voice  from  above,  in  an  especial  manner,  say  unto 
Britons,  '  Go  ye  into  all  the  world.'  Wherefore  1  Only  foi 
piohtical  aggrandisement — for  merchandise — for  travelling  re- 
creation— for  collecting  of  philosophical  rarities?  Are  these 
your  only  objects  1  No  ;  saith  the  Word,  '  Go  ye  into  all  the 
world,  and  preach  the  Gospel  to  every  creature  !' 

"  From  such  a  meditation  on  the  map  the  Christian  retires, 
not  to  slumber  over  the  convictions  of  duty ;  not  to  say  much, 
and  do  nothing.  He  freights  a  vessel  to  carry  the  pearl  of  great 
price  to  those,  who  neither  know  of  its  existence  nor  its  value. 
The  missionary  is  on  board  the  ship.  The  messenger  of  God 
is  crossing  the  seas  ;  not,  as  formerly,  to  make  the  Ethiopians 
afraid,  but  to  proclaim  the  glad  tidings  of  salvation  to  the  Hea- 
then, to  preach  the  Gospel  to  the  poor,  to  heal  the  broken-heart- 
ed, to  preach  deliverance  to  the  cajitives,  and  recovering  of  sight 
to  the  blind.  Whilst  the  Christian,  at  home,  who  has  been  the 
instrument  of  sending  him  forth  on  this  errand  of  love,  anxiously 
waits  to  hear  the  happy  news,  that  Dagon  is  fallen  upon  his  fac0 


REV.  LEGH  RICHMOND. 


125 


10  the  ground  before  the  ark  of  the  Lord  ;  that  Bel  boweth 
down,  and  Nebo  stoopeth,  while  the  great  trumpet  is  blown ; 
and  that  they  which  were  ready  to  perish  in  the  land  of  Assyria, 
and  the  outcasts  in  the  land  of  Egypt,  are  now  worshipping  the 
Lord  m  his  holy  mount. 

"  0  ye  statesmen,  merchants,  travellers,  and  philosophers, 
take  up  your  maps  once  more. 

Again  consider  the  state  of  the  church ;  and  if  you  love 
Christ,  feed  his  sheep." 

The  collection  on  this  occasion  amounted  to  331/.  Is.  ;  being 
the  largest  sum  ever  contributed  at  any  of  the  anniversaries  of 
the  Church  Missionary  Society. 

Mr.  Richmond's  exertions  in  behalf  of  the  rehgious  societies, 
began,  from  this  period,  to  form  a  very  prominent  feature  in  his 
life.  His  journals,  which  we  mean  to  lay  before  the  reader,  will 
discover  an  extraordinary  degree  of  zeal  and  labour,  such  as 
few  men  would  attempt  to  equal,  and  fewer  have  ever  exceeded. 
His  correspondence  at  the  same  time  will  shew,  that  so  far  from 
sacrificing  parochial  or  family  duties  to  his  more  public  exer- 
tions, he  was  most  strictly  conscientious  in  the  observance  of 
them.  It  is  admitted,  that  incessant  occupation  in  the  service 
of  the  public,  may  prove  a  serious  interruption  to  the  due  dis- 
charge of  private  obligations,  and  that  personal  piety  may  be 
endangered  by  the  excitement  and  distraction  of  public  en- 
gagements. 

Mr.  Richmond  formed  an  exception  to  the  too  common  effect 
of  popularity.  So  far  from  being  injured  by  his  exertions 
abroad  they  seemed  to  invigorate  and  fit  him  for  the  better  dis- 
charge of  his  duties  at  home  ;  and  his  return  from  these  mis- 
sionary tours  was  ever  accompanied  with  some  signal  revivals 
in  his  church  and  family. 

In  the  year  1810,  an  Auxiliary  Society  was  formed  for  the 
county  of  Bedford,  to  co-operate  with  the  London  Society  for 
promoting  Christianity  among  the  Jews.  Fxtempore  addresses 
were  at  this  time  so  unusual,  that  few  persons  were  either  will- 
ing or  able  to  trust  themselves  beyond  a  very  brief  and  limited 
expression  of  their  sentiments  ;  and  the  writer  well  remembers 
his  own  nervous  agitation  even  when,  having  declined  to  take 
a  more  prominent  part  in  the  business  of  the  day,  the  less  diffi- 
cult office  of  moving  a  vote  of  thanks  to  the  chairman  was  as- 
signed to  him.  The  feehngs  of  many  others  he  believes  were 
much  of  the  same  description.  On  Mr.  Richmond,  therefore, 
by  unanimous  consent,  devolved  the  task  of  explaining  the  ob- 
ject of  the  meeting  ;  in  doing  which,  he  entered  so  fully,  and 


126 


MEMOIRS  OP  THE 


with  so  much  ability,  into  the  past  and  present  history  of  the 
Jews — the  obHgations  of  the  Christian  world  to  that  remarkable 
people  for  the  fidelity  with  which  they  had  transmitted  the 
sacred  text — their  claims  on  our  gratitude  and  humanity — the 
manner  in  which  those  claims  had  been  requited,  and  the  guilt 
of  past  neglect — the  lost  and  degraded  state  of  the  Jews,  con- 
trasted with  the  splendour  of  their  future  hopes,  that  one  would 
have  supposed  he  had  made  this  cause  the  exclusive  subject  of 
his  studies,  so  ample  was  the  knowledge  he  displayed,  and  the 
fluency  with  which  he  communicated  it. 

A  similar  meeting  was  atlterwards  held  at  Kettering,  in  North- 
amptonshire, which  Mr.  Richmond  addressed  with  equal  ability. 
He  preached  also,  in  behalf  of  the  Society,  at  All  Saints' 
Church,  Northampton,  to  a  very  large  congregation. 

The  circumstance  that  next  claims  our  attention,  is  the  for- 
mation of  the  Bedfordshire  Bible  Society,  m  the  autumn  of 
1811.  The  recollections  connected  with  this  event  will  not 
easily  be  obliterated.  The  presence  of  (  hristians  of  all  deno- 
minations, assembled  for  the  first  time  in  that  district,  within  the 
memory  of  man,  to  promote,  by  their  united  energies,  an  object 
equally  dear  to  all, — the  dignity  and  cordiality  with  which  His 
Grace  the  Duke  of  Bedford,  the  president,  declared  his  appro- 
bation of  the  catholic  spirit  and  enlarged  benevolence  of  the 
undertaking, — the  interesting  and  impressive  communications  of 
the  three  Secretaries  of  the  Parent  Society,  the  Rev.  John 
Owen,  the  Rev.  J.  Hughes,  and  the  Rev.  Dr.  Steinkopff, — the 
animated  and  powerful  speech  of  the  late  Samuel  Whitbread, 
Esq.^  the  Christian  character  of  the  respective  addresses,  and 
the  spirit  of  harmony  and  peace  which  pervaded  the  meeting, 
awakened  in  every  bosom  the  purest  and  most  exalted  emotions. 
It  was  like  the  meetmg  of  I'sau  and  Jacob,  who,  after  years  of 
mutual  alienati(m  and  distrust,  forgot  all  past  animosities,  and 
fell  on  each  other's  neck,  with  mutual  tears  and  embraces. 

The  public  meeting  at  !  Bedford  was  attended  with  two  import- 
ant results  :  the  Huntingdonshire  and  Northamptonshire  Bible 
Societies  owed  their  oridn  to  the  interest  exc  ited  on  that  occa- 
sion. In  the  establishment  of  the  above  society,  and  in  organi- 
zing county  branches,  at  Luton,  Leighton,  Dunstable,  Woburn, 
Ampthill,  Biggleswade,  &c.,  Mr.  Richmond  took  an  active 
part ;  and  was,  subsequently,  in  the  habit  of  attending  their 
anniversaries,  and  not  unfrequently  those  also  that  were  held  in 
the  adjoining  county  of  Northampton. 

We  now  proceed  to  notice  other  labours  of  Mr.  Richmond  in 
the  Jewish  and  missionary  cause,  in  different  parts  of  the  king- 


REV.  LEGH  RICHMOND. 


127 


dom :  his  own  journals  will  best  illustrate  their  character,  as 
well  as  their  beneficial  effects.    We  select  the  following  : — 

Extracts  from  a  Journal  of  a  Tour  in  1814. 

"  August  8.    Left  Turvey  at  five  in  the  morning.    Dined  at 

C  n,  with  dear  J  s.    The  savoury  sweetness  and  friendly 

cordiality  of  his  conversation  was,  as  it  ever  must  be,  delightful 
and  edifying.  Arrived  at  Leicester,  at  eight  in  the  evening,  and 
slept  at  my  friend  Mitchell's.*  There  I  used  to  converse  with 
dear  father  Robinson.  How  solemn  and  interesting  does  death 
render  past  recollections  !  Leicester  cannot  but  mourn  the  loss 
of  such  a  man.  He  was  father,  friend,  pastor,  counsellor,  and 
preacher,  in  an  eminent  degree.  Peace  and  veneration  be  to 
his  memory ! 

"  —  9.  Met  Mrs.  B.,  who  informed  me  of  the  most  distress- 
ing death  of  Mr.  J.,  of  London.  I  felt  deeply  affected.  Lord, 
what  is  man  !  who  can  tell  to  what  depths  even  God's  children 
may  be  brought  ?  I  was  glad  to  learn,  that  he  was  granted  time 
and  space  for  repentnnce,  and  recovery  of  mind.  May  we  all 
hear  and  fear.  The  Lord  be  merciful  to  his  interesting  family. 
In  the  evening  I  preached  for  the  Jews,  at  St.  Mary's  church. 
A  noble  congregation.  My  text  was  Matt.  x.  8.  I  found  much 
freedom  in  speaking,  and  thought  God  seemed  to  be  in  the  midst 
of  us.  Very  many  clergymen  and  dissenting  ministers  were 
present.  The  collection  was  41/.  13s.  The  Lord  keep  me 
humble,  simple-minded,  and  single-eyed. 

" —  10.  Proceeded  to  Derby  and  Matlock  :  delighted  with 
the  High  Tor ;  resolved  on  its  being  my  text,  in  illustration  of 
Deut.  xxxii.  4.  Congregation,  and  evening,  quiet,  calm,  and 
interesting.  The  beauty  of  this  place  increases,  to  my  appre- 
hension, every  time  I  revisit  it.  Blessed  be  the  Rock  of  salva- 
tion !  I  returned  to  M.  B.  by  late  twilight.  The  scene  exqui- 
sitely fine.  God  made  all  these  beauties  !  May  I  see  Him  in 
fhem  ! 

"  —  11.  Went  to  Bonsai.  It  is  one  of  the  most  interesting, 
romantic  spots  I  ever  saw — it  far  exceeds  description.  The 
church  and  church-yard  are  remarkably  interesting.  In  the 
evening,  preached  for  the  Jews,  from  Prov.  in.  27.  Collection 
— 15/.  l'2s.  I  had  not  so  much  freedom  as  sometimes,  but  felt 
calm  and  hopeful.    The  character  of  this  picturesque,  seques- 

*  The  vicar  of  St.  Mary's,  Leicester,  and  the  successor  of  Mr.  Robinson. 
The  sudden  decease  of  this  much  respected  character  is  a  subject  of  sincere  re^ 
gret  to  all  his  friends. 


I 


128  MEMOIRS  OP  THE 

tered  village,  on  the  opposite  side  of  Masson  (Hill)  from  Mat- 
lock, is  beautiful,  wild,  rich,  and  engaging  in  the  extreme. 

t'  —  12.  Early  in  the  morning,  I  went  into  the  beautiful  and 
romantically- situated  charch-yard,  and  meditated  near  an  hour. 
Here  is  a  remarkably  fine  yew  tree.  In  the  evening  I  received 
an  invitation  to  preach  for  the  Jews  on  Sunday  morning,  at  Al- 
freton.  I  returned  to  Bonsai,  and,  at  my  friend  Maddock's  de- 
sire, addressed  a  large  number  of  young  people  in  the  church, 
who  are  under  instruction  for  an  iipproaching  confirmation  by 
the  bishop.  It  was  a  pleasing  sight,  and,  I  hope,  a  profitable 
time.    How  gracious  is  God  to  body,  soul,  and  spirit! 

« —  14.  {Sunday.)  We  set  off  for  /Vlfreton.  I  preached 
for  the  Jews,  from  John  iv.  22.  Collection — 15  .  13s.  Re- 
turned to  Bonsai ;  preached  from  Psalm  viii.  2.  A  church  com- 
pletely filled  ;  many  visitors  from  Matlock.  It  was  a  delightful 
opportunity ;  the  Lord  seemed  to  be  present,  amidst  a  worship- 
ping and  listening  people.  Such  a  congregation,  in  so  romantic 
and  beautiful  a  situation,  is  a  rare  and  interesting  sight.  Re- 
turned to  the  hotel  to  supper ;  had  some  very  profitable  conver- 
sation with  Mrs.  B.,  who  has  been  an  authoress.  How  desira- 
ble to  endeavour  to  introduce  something  tor  God  at  these  public 
places. 

" —  16.  Manchester.  Preached  at  St.  Stephen's,  Salford, 
for  the  National  schools,  from  Psalm  xlviii.  12 — 14. 

a  —  18.  Rose  early,  and  thought  over  a  plan  of  sermon  for 
night.  After  breakfast,  went  to  meet  the  Ladies'  Auxiliary 
Committee  for  the  Jews.  Gave  an  address,  and  found  the  op- 
portunity peculiarly  interesting.  It  was  then  fixed  that  the  an- 
nual public  meeting  for  the  Jewish  society  should  be  held  on 
Wednesday,  August  31,  and  that  I  should  preach  at  St.  Cle- 
ment's on  the  preceding  evening.  Went  to  Oldham,  where  I 
preached  for  the  Jews,  from  Rom.  xi.  12.  Collection — 21/.  16^. 
Id.  Preached  with  unusual  freedom,  particularly  as  it  concern- 
ed the  word  '  reconciling.'  The  presence  of  God  was  not,  I 
trust,  wanting  among  us. 

" — 21.  (Sundaij.)  Preached  for  the  Jews  at  the  parish 
church  of  Halifax.  It  is  a  remarkably  fine  old  building.  Col- 
lection— 19/.  The  day  extremely  wet.  In  the  afternoon  I 
preached  at  Trinity  church,  in  the  same  town  ;  a  very  large  con- 
gregation. Collection — 34/.  My  morning  text  was,  Psalm 
cii.  12,  13.  Afternoon,  Psalm  cxxn.  6.  I  deeply  felt  my  sub- 
ject. Immediately  after  the  second  sermon,  Mr.  C.  and  I  set 
oft'  for  Huddersfield.  The  road  very  fine  and  interesting — the 
evening  wet.    We  arrived  at  the  Rev.  Mr.  C.'s,  and  were  in- 


REV.  LEGH  RICHMOND. 


129 


vited  to  sleep  at  Mrs.  VV.'s,  near  Huddersfield.  Tbe  congre- 
gation at  the  church  was  immense.  The  Methodist  chapel  was 
shut  up.  The  sight  of  such  an  assembly  filled  me  with  desire 
and  affection.  I  preached  from  Rom.  xi.  15,  with  great  com- 
fort. The  occasion  was  in  every  way  interesting.  Collection — 
71/.  One  person  had  put  into  the  plate  two  guineas,  wrapped 
in  a  ten  pound  note  !  As  soon  as  the  service  was  over,  the  or- 
gan and  choir  suddenly  began  the  grand  Hallelujah  Chorus,  and 
executed  it  well.  The  effect  was  sublime,  and  affected  me 
much. 

"  —  22.  At  eleven,  held  a  public  meeting,  for  the  formation 
of  a  Huddersfield  society  for  the  Jews.  It  was  numerously  at- 
tended, and  went  off  very  well.  I  was  requested  to  preach  a 
lecture  at  the  church  to-morrow  evening.  Had  an  interesting 
conversation  \\ith  an  old  man  in  the  factory,  about  the  sermon  of 
last  night. 

"  —  23.  Preached  the  promised  lecture  at  Huddersfield 
church,  from  Ep h.  iiu  17 — 19:  a  very  fine  congregation,  al- 
though an  exceedingly  wet  night.  Felt  earnest  in  my  subject, 
and  went  through  it  with  much  solemn  feehng.  The  character 
of  this  whole  family  where  I  now  am  is  highly  interesting.  Such 
new  friendships  are,  indeed,  among  the  mercies  of  God  to 
travelling  pilgrims. 

"  —  24.  Set  off  for  Halifax.  Preached  to  a  very  large  con- 
gregation at  the  old  parish  church,  from  Heb.  xiii.  8. 

"  Aug.  25.  Went  to  Bradford.  Met  a  very  friendly  and 
agi-eeable  party  of  friends  to  the  Jews,  at  Mr.  F.'s.  It  was 
resolved  to  hold  a  meeting  of  the  association  at  Bradford,  on 
Saturday  morning.  Preached  in  the  evening  at  Roth^v'ell,  for 
the  Jews,  to  a  good  congregation. 

—  27.  Set  off  for  Bradford.  Attended  the  public  meeting  : 
a  very  large  assembly.  Mr.  S.  made  an  excellent  and  argu- 
iBCBtative  speech.  The  venerable  vicar  was  present.  All  went 
off  well.  \Ve  dined  with  Mr.  F.  ;  the  party  numerous,  spiritual, 
and  edifying.  The  conversation  very  interesting.  Returned  to 
Leeds,  and  by  the  way  examined  the  fine  ruin  of  Kirkstall 
Abbey.    It  is  highly  grand  and  beautiful. 

"  —  28.  {Sunday.)  Awoke  with  anxiety  respecting  the 
sermons  of  the  day,  having  three  to  preach  at  different  churches, 
in  the  same  town  (Leeds.)  Went  in  the  morning  to  St.  Paul's, 
tbe  church  of  the  late  Rev.  Miles  Atkinson.  I  preached  for  the 
Jews,  from  Rom.  xi.  30,  31.  Found  myself  strengthened. 
Collection — 49/.  Dined  with  Mr.  H.  In  the  afternoon  preached 
at  St.  John's,  for  the  Jews,  from  Psalm  ciu  12,  1.3.  Preached 

12 


MKMOIRS  OP  THE 


with  more  satisfaction  than  in  the  morning,  and  felt  much  for  tlie 
souls  of  those  present.  Collection — 22L  Drank  tea  at  Mr, 
H.'s,  and  in  the  evening  preached  at  St.  John's,  from  Matt. 
X.  8  :  a  very  fine  congregation  indeed.  I  preached  with  great 
freedom  to  my  own  feelings,  both  as  to  argument  and  appeal. 
My  heart  was  much  engaged  in  considering  the  great  work  of 
the  ministerial  calling.  Singing  very  grand  and  impressive* 
Collection — 31/.  In  all,  above  100/.  during  the  day.  I  have 
reason  to  be  very  thankful  to  God,  for  the  help  and  strength  with 
which  I  was  enabled  to  pursue  my  course  this  day. 

Aug.  29.  Went  to  the  public  meeting  at  the  Music-hall, 
for  forming  a  Ladies'  Society.  Many  excellent  speeches  were 
made,  which  rendered  the  meeting  peculiarly  interesting.  After 
dmner,  went  to  Birstall,  and  preached  for  the  Jews,  from  Rom. 
X.  1.  The  church  is  singularly  venerable  in  architecture,  and 
picturesque  in  character.  It  was  full  in  the  extreme.  Col- 
lection— 17/. 

" —  30.  Arrived  in  Manchester  just  in  time  to  preach  at  St. 
Clement's  church,  from  Gen.  xvii.  5,  on  the  united  influence  of 
Jewish  and  Heathen  missions  on  each  other.  Afterwards  pre- 
pared papers  for  a  meeting  next  morning.  I  felt  my  mind 
affected  while  enlarging  on  the  iibove  view  of  the  question. 

" — 31.  Held  the  anniversary  meeting  of  the  Auxiliary 
Society.  Numerous  attendance.  Preached  m  the  evening  at 
Stanley-bridge  chapel,  from  John  iv.  22.  Collection — 18/.  6s. 
V^^as  struck  with  seeing  a  monument  to  the  Rev.  John  Ken- 
worthy,  aged  thirty-four.  He  was  a  college  friend,  and  I  did 
not  know  what  was  become  of  him.  In  the  midst  of  life  we  are 
in  death ! 

"  Sept,  1.  Found  many  letters ;  one  from  my  dear  wife,  which 
I  answered.  Children  all  well  at  home.  0,  how  merciful  is 
God  !  I  have  laboured  much  this  last  fortnight,  but  am  in  no 
respect  the  worse,  and  in  many  the  better  for  it.  And  so  may 
he  ever  give  his  beloved  rest,  not  from,  but  in  labour.  The 
harvest  is  plenteous,  but  the  labourers  are  few.  The  import- 
ance of  such  a  work  as  I  am  engaged  in,  appears  daily  more 
and  more  in  its  effects  on  individuals,  places,  and  districts. 
May  the  Master,  whom  I  serve,  give  me  strength  according  to 
ray  day,  and  use  me  for  his  own  glory,  and  the  good  of  the 
church  of  Christ,  lohere,  when,  and  hoio  he  pleaseth  ! 

"  —  2.  Stayed  in  the  house  all  day.  Endeavoured  to  col- 
lect some  matter  for  my  missionary  sermons.    Had  an  hour's 

conversation  with  Mrs.  C,  the  pious  and  exemplary  of 

t^tockport.    Spent  a  comfortable  day  with  my  mother  and  aunt. 


REV.  LEGH  RICHMOND. 


131 


Sat  up,  before  I  went  to  bed,  and  meditated  on  the  blessings 
which  God  had  mercifully  bestowed  on  me,  in  giving  me  so 
valuable  a  wife,  and  so  many  dear  children.  I  then  prayed  for 
them,  and  retired  to  rest. 

"  —  3.  Made  two  skeletons  for  Church  Missionary  ser- 
mons, to  be  preached  at  Buxton  to-morrow.  Proceeded  thither. 
Scenery  lovely.  Buxton  completely  full.  My  sermon  here  is 
an  arduous  task.  God  give  me  strength  to  go  through  it  to  his 
j^lory ;  fearless  of  men,  and  anxious  for  their  spiritual  welfare. 
I  find  that  ladies  are  to  collect  at  the  church  to-morrow. 

"  Sept.  4.  {Sunday.)  Rose  early,  to  prepare  for  my  day's 
work.  Went  to  the  new  and  beautiful  chapel.  A  large  con- 
gregation of  genteel  people.  1  preached  from  Luke  xix.  42, 
for  the  Jews.  Collection — 44/.  4s.  I  e  joyed  sufficient  freedom 
from  fear,  so  as  to  be  rendered  comfortable.  Ladies  collected 
from  pew  to  pew,  supported  by  gentlemen.  Went  immediately 
afterwards  to  Bakewell,  where  I  preached  for  the  Church  Mis- 
sionary Society,  from  Rom.  iii.  29.  Collection — 17/.  125.  2cl. 
From  thence  I  went  to  Yeolgrave,  where  I  preached  for  the 
same  cause,  from  Matt.  ix.  37,  38.    Collection — 11/.  145.  bcl. 

"  —  5.  Rose  early,  and  was  struck  with  the  singularly  beau- 
tiful effect  of  the  morning  fog  or  dew,  rolling,  or  rather  reposing 
in  flakes  and  masses  on  the  valley  seen  from  my  window.  The 
hills  around  me  were  clear,  the  sun  shining,  the  objects  in  some 
part  of  the  valley  beginning  to  appear.  At  length,  all  became 
clear  arid  uninterrupted.  The  whole  was  highly  interesting. 
Went  through  the  beautiful  valley.  Saw  a  comment  on  my  text 
last  night ;  a  large  tra^t  of  hai'vest  land,  and  one  solitary  person 
reaping  it !  Noticed  a  sublime  and  interesting  mass  of  rocks  ; 
their  shape,  form,  and  character,  worthy  of  the  minutest  atten- 
tion. Wild,  unfrequented,  and  romantic,  in  the  highest  degree. 
Within  them  is  a  hermit's  cave,  on  the  wall  of  which  some  pious 
artist  has  sculptured  a  crucifix.  Meditation  has  here  scope  for 
boundless  action — scenic,  spiritual,  sublime,  and  beautiful. 

^'  Sept.  6.  Received  a  letter  from  my  dear  wife.  All  well, 
God  be  praised.  Preached  at  Chapel  en  le  Frith,  from  Horn.  i. 
16,  for  Church  Missionary  Society.  Collection — 15/.  16*.  Id. 
Slept  at  the  inn.  Mercies  still  follow  me.  Bless  the  Lord,  O 
my  soul !  and  all  that  is  within  me  bless  His  holy  name  ! 

"  —  7.  Preached  a  lecture  at  Yeolgrave.  Experienced  a 
mark  of  very  kind  attention  from  one  of  the  Duke  of  Rutland's 
household.  Went  to  Matlock,  to  preach  there.  Met  Mr.  and 
Mrs.  Kemp,  and  Rev.  Mr.  and  Mrs.  Saunders.  Returned,  after 
service,  with  Lady  Elizabeth  Percival  and  Mrs.  Childers ;  and  had 


132  MEMOIRS  OP  THE 

much  Christian  conversation,  as  we  passed  through  the  rocks 
on  the  romantic  road,  by  moonhght. 

"  —  9.  Attended  a  meeting  of  ladies  and  gentlemen,  for  the 
Church  Missionary  Society.  Messrs.  Kemp,  Saunders,  Gell, 
Maddock,  and  myself  spoke.  The  collection,  including  two 
donations  of  ten  guineas  each,  from  Lady  E.  Percival,  and  the 
Hon.  Mrs.  Chiiders,  after  my  sermon  last  night,  amounted  to 
40/.  9s.  6d.  This  first  incursion  into  the  very  heart  of  a  water- 
ing-place is  an  excellent  beginning,  and  promises  well.  We 
met  at  the  dining-room,  just  underneath  the  romantic  rocks  : 
shrubs,  trees,  river,  &c.,  opposite.  I  was  reminded  of  Salvator 
Rosa's  picture  of  John  the  Baptist  preaching  in  the  wilderness. 

Sept.  10.  Breakfasted  at  Bonsai;  then  read,  wrote,  and 
meditated  for  to-morrow.  The  Lord  of  grace  and  glory  help 
me  in  my  work,  and  bless  it  to  me,  a  poor  sinner,  while  I  preach 
for  and  to  other  poor  sinners  ! 

" —  11.  {Sunday.)  Preached  in  the  fine  old  church  (with  its 
most  singular  and  crooked  spire,)  for  the  Church  Missionary 
Society,  from  Mark  xvi.  15 — Collection,  34/.  Set  off  for 
Sheffield.  Proceeded  to  the  parish  church  ;  congregation  com- 
puted at  3500.  Many  hundreds  unable  to  get  in.  I  preach- 
ed jointly  (by  express  desire)  for  the  Jews  and  the  Hea- 
then, from  Rom.  iii.  29.  Collection — 71/.  13*.  The  Hallelu- 
jah Chorus  was  grand  and  affecting  in  the  highest  degree. 
Much  to  be  thankful  for  in  each  of  the  three  sermons  this  day. 
The  collection  was  said  to  be  the  largest  ever  made  in  this 
church,  on  any  occasion.  It  is  not  easy  to  describe  or  conceive 
the  effect  of  such  a  congregation  as  this  at  Sheffield. 

" —  12.  Most  hospitably  received  at  Mrs.  Walker's. 
Went  to  see  Mr.  Walker's  great  ironworks,  near  Rotherham. 
Saw  a  cannon  cast,  and  went  through  the  whole  manufactory. 
It  is  most  ingenious  and  interesting.  Saw  the  rolling-milK 
and  manufacture  of  tin  plates.  Observed  on  our  return  in  the 
evening,  the  effects  of  the  many  surrounding  blazing  furnaces. 
The  effect  in  so  fine  a  night  is  grand  and  beautiful :  some  of  the 
fires  on  the  tops  of  high  hills,  some  on  the  sides,  others  in  the 
valleys — some  near,  others  distant. 

"  Sept.  14.  Framed  the  plan  of  a  sermon.  Expounded  at 
family  worship  from  Malachi  lii. ;  and  explained  the  Refiner*s 
process,  from  what  we  had  seen  the  day  before.  Preached  at 
Rotherham  church,  for  the  Church  Missionary  Society.  Text— 
J\fa//.  xxviii.  19,  20.  A  fine  congregation.  Collection— 33/. 
lis.  lOd.  Dear  Maddock  read  prayers.  Numerous  proofs 
hourly  occur  of  the  usefulness  of  my  missionary  laboursj  where» 


REV.  LEGH  RICHMOND. 


133 


ever  we  travel.  Surely,  goodness  and  mercy  follow  us  !  Glory 
be  to  God ! 

a —  16.  Set  out  for  Doncaster.  Went  to  Selby.  Preach- 
ed for  the  Church  Missionary  Society.  Collection — 13/.  14s. 
lOd.  The  congregation  gt)od  and  attentive.  My  excellent 
friend  Maddock  accompanied  me.  Before  I  retired  to  rest,  felt 
peculiarly  earnest  in  prayer  for  my  beloved  wife  and  children. 
O  !  for  the  Lord  to  crown  them  with  his  mercies,  temporal, 
spiritual,  and  eternal ! 

"  —  17.  Passed,  this  day,  through  the  village  of  Wilberforce. 
on  my  way  to  Knaresborojgh.  It  pleased  me  to  think  of  my 
boy. 

"  —  18.  {Sunday.)  Preached  at  Knaresborough  church,  for 
the  Church  Missionary  Society,  from  Ps.  xcvi.  9,  10.  Collec- 
tion— 30/.  Went  immediately  to  Harewood.  The  church 
most  beautiful  within.  Earl  Harewood,  Lord  and  Lady  Lascel- 
les,  Sir  C.  Stewart,  &c.  present.  I  preached  from  Matt.  ix. 
36—38.  Collection— 29/.  Rev.  Mr.  H.,  Rector,  and  nephew 
to  Earl  Harewood,  an  estimable  character.  Earl  H.  invited 
me  to  dinner.  Collection — 23/.  175.  Returned  to  Knaresbo- 
rough, and  preached  from  Eph.  iii.  17 — 19,  for  the  Church 
Missionary  Society.  Collection — 21/.  Enjoyed  much  peace 
all  day.  The  house  where  1  am  is  the  seat  of  enlightened  piety, 
of  kindness,  hospitality,  and  Christian  comfort. 

"  Sept,  19.  Received  a  singularly  interesting  letter  from  the 
Russian  princess,  Sophia  Metschertski,  at  St.  Petersburgh.* 
Explored  the  romantic  and  beautiful  scenery  about  Knaresbo- 
rough. Went  on  to  Studley  Park.  Saw  the  ruins  of  Foun- 
tains' Abbey  ; — it  far  exceeds  every  thing  I  have  seen  or  shall 
see — imagination  itself  is  filled,  and  more  than  filled.  I  went 
through  the  long  walk  with  that  vigour,  which  I  only  find  my- 
self able  to  exert  when  I  travel  and  have  my  mind  strongly  bent 
on  interesting  and  rational  enjoyment. 

"  —  25.  {Sunday.)  Preached  in  the  morning  at  St.  Paul's, 
Leeds,  from  Gen.  xxii.  18.  Collection — 40/.  3s.  Dined  with 
Mr.  H. ;  then  preached  at  St.  John's,  from  Ej)h.  ii.  12,  13. 
Collection — 20/.  18s.  Preached  in  the  evening,  at  St.  James', 
from  Isa.  ix.  7.  In  the  morning,  felt  calm  and  comfortable. 
In  the  evening,  found  most  enjoyment  in  my  work.  The  con- 
gregation overflowing — the  singing  universal — the  effect  de- 
lightful.    Missionaries  were  present.     How  mercifully  the 

^  This  letter  will  be  shortly  introduced  to  the  notice-  of  the  reader. 
12* 


134 


MEMOIRS  OF  THE' 


Lord  carries  me  through  ! — What  shall  I  render  unto  Him  for 
all  his  benefits. 

"  SepL  26.  Attended  the  public  anniversary  meeting.  Thir- 
teen clergymen  spoke.  The  whole  went  off  excellently.  Drank 
tea  with  a  large  religious  party  at  Mr.  D.'s.  All  profitable  and 
affectionate.  The  Prrncpss  Sophia's  letter  delights  every  one 
that  hears  it. 

"  —  27.  Preached  at  Huddersfield,  fi-om  Ps.  xcvi.  10. 
Church  crowded  in  the  extreme.  I  was  able  to  speak  with 
much  readiness.  Collection^ — 80/. 

—  27.  Held  the  anniversary  meeting  of  the  Huddersfield 
Association.  Preached  in  the  evening  at  AJmondbury,  from 
Matt.  ix.  37,  38.  Collection — 21/.  Is.  A  noble  congrega- 
tion. AVhat  strong  testimonials  do  I  daily  receive,  of  the  ex- 
tensive usefulness  of  my  journey  !  Surely  God  is  good  indeed, 
in  thus  comforting  my  spirits,  amidst  many  thoughts  of  anxiety  ! 

"  Oct,  1.  Prepared  to  leave  Woodhouse, — a  roof  under 
which  I  have  met  with  so  much  to  improve  and  delight,  that  I 
know  not  how  to  express  my  gratitude  to  God  and  its  owners  asr 
I  ought.  The  five  daughters  gave  me  6/.,  as  an  annual  sub- 
scription for  a  negro  rescued  child,  to  be  called  after  Maddock 
and  myself.  We  were  requested  to  plant  two  trees,  as  memo- 
rials of  our  visit  and  friendship.  M.  planted  an  oak,  and  I  a 
Portugal  laurel.  The  whole  interesting  family  heaped  every 
mark  of  regard  and  respect  upon  us.  I  desire  to  enter  my  re- 
cord of  thankfulness  and  affectionate  pleasure,  which  this  visit 
and  intercourse  have  excited  in  my  heart :  in  such  things,  the 
Lord  is  good  indeed.  Proceeded  to  Bradford.  Heard  fresh 
testimonies  there  to  the  great  use  of  religious  tours. 

"  Oct.  2.  (Sunday.)  Preached,  in  the  morning,  at  Bradford 
church,  from  Rom.  x.  13,  14.  A  fine  congregation.  Preach- 
ed, in  the  afternoon,  at  the  same  church,  from  JMatt.  ix.  36.  A 
still  larger  congregation.  Preached,  in  the  evening,  from  Rev. 
xi.  15.  Overflowing  congregation  :  I  never  saw  any  thing  like 
it — not  less  than  4000,  certainly.  Three  collections — 115/. 
Such  a  day — such  a  church — such  a  vicar — such  life — such  at- 
tention— such  liberality,  and  such  general  success  are  rarely 
seen.  I  desire  to  praise  God  from  my  heart,  for  the  interest- 
ing, animating,  encouraging  scene,  it  altogether  presented.  I 
received  the  sacrament  from  the  hands  of  the  venerable,  apos- 
tolical, blind  vicar.    Supped  and  slept  at  Mr.  Fawcett's. 

"  Oct.  5.  Met  my  mother  at  Chesterfield.  We  travelled 
together  to  Mansfield,  Proceeded  to  the  church.  A  very  fine 
'■oegregation.    I  preached  from  Rom.  x.  15.  Collection — 50/, 


REV.  LEGtt  RICHMOND. 


13^ 


1  have  had  great  heaviness  of  spirit  since  Monday  night,  but  I 
think  the  Lord  has  blessed  me  in  it.    He  is  good  and  merciful ! 

a  —  6.  Travelled  to  Bonsai,  where  Maddock  found  his  wife 
and  children  well.  0  !  may  God  grant  that  I  do  the  same ! 
He  has  been  with  me  as  a  Protector  all  the  way,  and  I  will  trust 
him  still !  May  every  tear  be  wiped  from  my  loved  Mary's 
eyes,  and  may  we  again  meet,  with  Christian  and  connubial  af- 
fection. Amen. 

"  —  7.  Proceeded  to  Nottingham,  where  we  made  ar- 
ranijements  for  a  new  association  in  connexion  with  the  Church 
Missionary  Society. 

"  —  8.  I  parted  with  my  friend  Maddock,  at  six  o'clock. 
God  be  with  him.  He  has  been  an  amiable,^  cheerful,  and  most 
interestincf  companion  and  coadjutor  ;  I  love  and  esteem  him 
from  my  heart.*  Ptejoiced  greatly  in  the  hope  of  meeting  my 
dear  wife  at  Creaton.  I  can  truly  say,  that  that  place  where 
she  is,  is  a  dear  home  to  my  heart  ;  and  home  itself  ceases  to 
be  home,  if  she  is  not  there.  Lord,  I  bless  thee,  for  having 
preserved  me  safe  through  a  journey  which  already  exceeds 
1160  miles  ;  and  may  it  be  crowned  by  meeting  her  at  last,  in 
love  and  union  of  soul ! — Arrived  safe  at  Creaton,  and  found 
my  dear  wife  and  daughter  well.  This  is  a  crowning  mercy, 
and  shall  be  accounted  as  such. 

"  Oct.  9.  Preached  in  the  morning,  at  Spratton,  from  Psalm 
xcvi.  10  ;  in  the  afternoon,  at  Creaton,  from  Rom.  x.  13 — 15.  ; 
for  the  Church  Missionary  Society.  Collection — -15/.  Is.  Sd. 
Passed  the  evening  pleasantly  and  profitably. 

" —  11.  We  left  Mr.  Jones'.  Dined  at  Northampton,  and 
arrived  safe  at  Turvey,  at  half-past  seven  o'clock — finding  the 
dear  children  well.  What  shall  I  render  to  the  Lord,  for  all  his 
benefits  unto  me  ? 

"  Thus  ends  a  journey  marked  by  manifold  mercies,  pleasures, 
useful  labours,  and  gratifying  events.  Many  valuable  friend- 
ships formed  ; — rehgious  and  personal  influence  extended  ; — 
the  cause  both  of  Jews  and  Heathen  furthered  ; — knowledge 
gained,  love  increased,  and  Christian  esteem  established  and 
cemented. — Gloria  Deo  in  excelsis  /" 

August,  1815.  Commenced  a  journey  for  the  Jews' and 
Church  Missionary  Societies. 

"  —  24.  In  passing  through  Bakewell,  went  to  see  Mr. 
Watson's  geological  museum.    His  ai^uments  and  illustrations 

*  Tiiis  excellent  man  is  since  departed  to  a  better  world,  beloved  and  es- 
teemed b^-  all  who  knew  him. 


136 


MEMOIRS  OF  THE 


by  specimens,  in  favour  of  the  volcanic  origin  of  tiie  Derby- 
shire hills,  strata,  &c.,  are  very  extraordinary. 

"  Aug.  27.  Preached  at  Bolton,  to  between  three  and  four 
thousand  people,  for  the  Sunday  schools.  Collection — 169/. 
12s.  bd.  A  magnificent  appearance.  The  singing  was  grand 
and  impressive  in  the  highest  degree.  Anthems,  Handel's  Cho- 
russes,  &c.  were  sung,  and  accompanied  by  trumpets,  horns, 
&c.  in  a  very  fine  style  inaeed.  My  mind  was  much  affected, 
and  I  found  considerable  enlargement,  though  not  without  much 
inward  temptation  and  struggle  to  the  contrary. 

"  —  29.  Set  off  from  Bolton,  northwards.  At  Preston,  saw 
the  Rev.  Mr.  T.  and  Mr.  H.  Was  much  pressed  on  the  subject 
of  their  Bible  meeting.  Dined  at  Garstang,  where  my  grand- 
father was  vicar,  from  about  sixty-five  to  eighty-five  years  ago. 
Proceeded  to  Lancaster  :  saw  some  noble  views  in  the  way. 
Here  I  caught  the  first  view  of  the  mountains.  Arrived  at  the 
Rev.  Mr.  H's :  a  delightful  family :  the  grace  of  God  indeed 
appears  here.  We  made  arrangements  for  my  preaching  at^ 
Lancaster,  on  Sept.  10th.  ' 

"  —  30.  Went  to  see  Lancaster  church  and  castle.  The 
latter  is  grand  m  a  very  high  degree.  The  modern  Gothic  court- 
houses exceed  any  thing  I  have  ever  seen.  The  view  from 
thence  superb  :  sea,  estuaries,  castles,  mountains,  &c.,  form  a 
beautiful  display  of  scenery.  Examined  the  interior  of  the 
castle,  visited  the  criminals,  &c.  Had  much  affecting  informa- 
tion from  Mr.  H.  relative  to  some  criminals,  executed  at  vari- 
ous periods.  What  a  picture  of  man  does  a  gaol  afford  ! — how 
it  reminds  me  of  the  saying  of  John  Bradford,  the  reformer,  on 
seeing  a  criminal  taken  to  the  place  of  execution — '  But  for  the 
grace  of  God,  there  goes  John  Bradford.' 

Kendal^  Sept.  3.  Preached  for  the  Jews,  in  the  morning, 
from  Mark  xvi.  15  ;  in  the  evening,  from  Psalm  li.  18.  Met 
many  excellent  friends,  at  Mrs.  R's.  The  whole  day  most 
agreeably  and  Christianly  spent. 

"  —  5.  An  excellent  Jews'  anniversary  meeting  at  Kendal. 
Every  thing  went  off  well.  A  large  dinner-party  at  Mrs.  R's, 
consisting  of  Mrs.  P.,  and  about  twenty  other  friends.  The 
whole  day  profitably  spent. 

"  —  6'.  Mrs.  R.  and  Mr.  R.  W.,  set  out  with  me  for  Bow- 
ness.  Saw  Winapdermere  Lake  with  astonishment  and  delight. 
Proceeded  to  Ambleside,  where  I  had  a  very  pleasing  conversa- 
tion with  the  Bishop  of  LlandaflT.  Proceeded  through  the  en- 
chanting road  by  Rydal  Water,  Grassmere,  Leathes  W^ater, 
Helvellyn,  &c.,  to  Keswick,  whose  beauties  bafHe  all  descrip- 


KEV.  LEGH  RICHMOND. 


137 


non.  Our  conversation  was  Christian  and  edifying — all  having 
the  greatest  enjoyment  in  the  scenery  and  its  accompaniments. 

"  Sept.  7.  Rose  early,  and  walked  to  examine  the  beautiful 
mountain  of  Skiddaw.  After  breakfast  went  round  Kes\vick 
Lake.  Saw  the  Barrow  Cascades,  Lowdore  Water-fall,  Bar- 
lowdale  Falls,  Bowder  Stone,  &c.  All  beyond  my  description, 
or  previous  conception.  After  dinner,  sailed  on  the  Lake,  with 
some  other  friends.  All  was  serene — lovely — delightful !  The 
Lowdore  cannon  was  fired :  the  echo  of  the  many  mountains 
produced  a  peal  of  perfect  thunder.  We  sung  hymns  on  the 
Lake  by  sun-set  and  moon-hght :  the  effect  may  be  better  con- 
ceived than  written. 

"  —  8.  Set  off  at  six,  for  Ulleswater  :  beauty  and  wonder 
in  profusion.  Saw  the  great  mountain  of  Saddleback,  and  a 
J3ruidical  circle  of  stones.  Crossed  the  Lake  of  Winander- 
mere,  by  the  west.  Exquisite  moonlight !  Arrived  at  Kendal 
ut  night.  Of  these  three  days — my  companions — my  enjoy- 
ments, I  would  write,  but  I  cannot ;  they  have  left  an  indelible 
trace  ;  and  I  bless  God  for  the  mercy. 

" —  10.  {Sunday.)  Went  to  Tunstal,  and  preached  for  the 
Jews.  Collection — 20/.  55.  Sd.  Proceeded  to  Lancaster,  and 
preached  again  for  the  Jews.  Collection — 39/.  85.  A  fine 
congregation.    Much  help  from  above  throughout  .the  day. 

"  Sept.  U.  Dined  with  dear  Mrs.  P.,  at  S.  Lodge.  A  most 
profitable  and  spiritual  party.  It  was  suddenly  proposed  after 
dinner,  that  I  should  preach  a  lecture  that  night  at  Lancaster. 
At  two  hours'  notice,  about  1000  people  were  collected.  I 
preached  from  Heb.  xiii.  8. 

"  —  12.  Went  to  breakfast  at  Leighton  Hall :  passed  an 
iftectionate  day  with  my  mother  and  sister.  My  mother,  near 
eighty,  walked  a  mile  and  a  half— God  preserve  her !  Had 
much  rehgious  conversation. 

"  _  13.  Went  to  C.  Hall,  the  seat  of  the  excellent  C.  W., 
Esq.  Viewed  the  exquisitely  romantic  beauties  of  Kirby-Lons- 
dale  church,  church-yard,  and  bridge.  In  the  evening,  ex- 
pounded the  23d  Psalm  to  a  large  company  of  friends  and 
neighbours. 

"  —  14.  Left  this  interesting  and  most  edifying  family. 
Proceeded  to  Knaresborough.  Arrived  at  the  friendly  house  ol 
Mr.  C. ;  and  preached,  the  following  day,  for  the  Jews,  from 
Luke  xxiv.  47.    Collection — 36/.  I85.  2d. 

"  Leeds^  {Sunday,)  —  17.  Preached  at  St  Paul's  in  the 
morning,  for  the  Heathen.  Collection — 46/.  In  the  afternoon^ 
at  St.  John's.  Collection — 20/.  In  the  evening,  at  St.  James', 


138  MEMOIRS  OP  THE 

Collection — 29/.    Texts,  Psa/iTi  xcvi ;  Rom.x,;  Psalmlxxxix. 
Had  much  support  throughout  the  day. 

*' — 18.  A  delightful  anniversary  meeting  of  the  Church 
Missionary  Society.  Mr.  Corrie,  from  India,  gave  most  inte- 
resting details  respecting  that  country  and  Abdool  Messee,  &c. 
Many  excellent  speeches  :  great  savour  and  spirituality  through- 
out the  whole.    Dined  at  Mr.  Hey's,  with  Mr.  Corrie,  &c. 

Sept.  24:.  {Sunday.)  Preached  at  St.  Stephen's,  Salford, 
for  the  Sunday  scliools,  from  John  iii.  14,  15.  Very  good  con- 
gregation. In  the  afternoon,  preached  again  for  the  schools, 
from  Psalm  Ixxii.  4.  Collection — 70/.  Preached  in  the  even- 
ing, at  St.  Clement's,  from  Gen.  xii.  1,  2,  3.  Congregation 
overflowing.  I  find  by  a  letter,  that  Mr.  C,  of  Bradford,  has 
through  me,  anonymoasly  given  85/.  13s.  to  the  church  mission. 

"  —  29.  Attended  the  Jewish  anniversary.  It  was  rendered 
most  interesting  by  the  particulars  communicated  about  a  con- 
verted Jew,  Emanuel  Lemon,  who  died  at  Manchester.  I  went 
afterwards  to  the  house  where  he  died,  and  spent  two  hours  in 
deep  affection,  listening  to  the  simple  narratives  of  facts,  from 
various  persons,  concerning  this  singular  convert.  Brought 
away  some  memorials  of  him.    A  very  good  day  indeed. 

"  Huddersfield,  Oct.  1.  Preached  for  the  Church  Missionary 
Society,  from  Acts  xxvii.  23.  Collection — 54/.  Church  much 
crowded.  Preached  in  the  afternoon,  at  Slathwaite  chapel,  from 
Mark  xvh  15.  About  two  thousand  persons  present.  In  the 
evening,  preached  at  Long  wood  chapel,  from  Psa/?w  Ixxxix.  15, 
16.  An  immense  multitude.  Upwards  of  80/.  collected  at  these 
three  services.  Had  a  day  of  great  labour  and  apparent  use- 
fulness. Was  carried  through,  very  mercifully,  in  all  the  three 
sermons.  I  hear  of  good  effects  from  my  sermons  of  last  year 
in  this  vicinity,  particularly  that  at  Huddersfield,  from  Ep/i.  iii., 
on  the  love  of  Christ." 

As  the  remaining  parts  of  this  tour  refer  to  places  already 
mentioned  in  the  preceding  accounts,  we  forbear  to  insert  them^ 
though  they  afford  ample  testimony  to  the  usefulness  of  his 
labours. 

There  may  be  a  disposition  in  the  minds  of  some,  who  have 
read  these  journals,  to  censure,  rather  than  to  approve.  The 
slender  hold  which  the  Gospel  has  on  their  hearts  and  affections, 
utterly  disqualifies  them  for  estimating  the  spirit  and  aim  of  a 
man,  who,  to  use  the  words  of  the  venerabie  Leighton,  counted 
the  whole  world,  "  in  comparison  of  the  cross  of  Christy  one 
^rand  impertinence.'^^    To  such  minds,  the  royal  prophet  would 


UEV.  LEGH  RICHMOND. 


139 


seem  "  vile,'^  when,  in  the  holy  exultation  of  his  spirit,  he  danced 
before  the  ark  of  God  ;* — the  great  apostle  would  seem  to  rave, 
in  the  record  of  his  sufferings  and  labours,  and  even  the  Savioui' 
of  the  world  to  be  "  beside  himself,"!  while  he  found  it  his 
meat  and  his  drink  to  do  the  will  of  God.  Such  men  cannot 
accommodate  to  the  standard  of  their  own  selfish  and  earthly 
apprehensions,  the  zeal  and  piety  of  one,  who,  "  intent  upon  the 
attainment  of  heaven,  (for  himself  or  others,)  rejects  with  in- 
dignation every  attempt  to  degrade  or  deride  subjects  he  never 
recollects  but  with  seriousness  and  anxiety."  Let  it  be  remem- 
bered, however,  that  "  nothing  but  stupidity,  or  the  most  frivo- 
lous dissipation  of  thought,  can  make  even  the  inconsiderate  for- 
get the  supreme  importance  of  every  thmg  which  relates  to  a 
future  existence.  The  most  preposterous  device  by  which  the 
weakest  devotee  ever  believed  he  was  securing  the  happiness  of 
a  future  life,  is  more  rational  than  unconcern  about  it.  Upon 
this  subject,  nothing  is  so  absurd  as  indifference — no  folly  so 
contemptible  as  thoughtlessness  and  levity."J  Men  may  sel- 
fishly indulge  themselves,  and  pursue  their  own  immediate  gra- 
tifications ;  and,  seeing  nothing  valuable  hi  religion  beyond  the 
form,  decry  every  attempt  to  realize  or  exhibit  its  power.  They 
may  affect  to  hide  or  explain  away  the  direful  consequences  of 
idolatry  to  the  human  race  ;  and  under  cover  of  a  false-named 
charity,  which  is,  in  reality,  no  other  than  an  indifference,  arising 
out  of  ignorance  and  unbelief,  exclaim,  "  What  have  we  to  do 
with  other  men's  religions  ?"  but  he  who  faithfully  lays  before 
his  thoughts  the  awful  delusions  and  abominable  crimes  of  mil- 
lions of  his  fellow-creatures,  and  connects  these  evils  with  the 
solemn  and  affecting  declaration  of  the  Bible,  "  the  wages  of 
sin  is  death," — even  "  the  bitter  pains  of  eternal  death," — will, 
in  his  own  deliverance  from  them,  "  count  all  things  but  loss, 
for  the  excellency  of  the  knowledge  of  Christ  Jesus  his  Lord 
and  will  burn  with  a  zeal  even  to  his  consuming,  till  "  all  flesh 
shall  see  the  salvation  of  God." 

If,  in  the  opinion  of  others,  we  have  made  a  larger  use  ot 
these  journals  than  the  nature  of  the  materials  justifies,  we  have 
no  other  apology  to  offer,  than  the  interest  we  took  in  their  pe- 
rusal, and  the  lively  picture  they  seemed  to  present  of  the  cha- 
racter of  our  friend,  far  beyond  what  could  be  given  by  the 
touches  of  any  other  pen. 

These  fragments  were  evidently  not  intended  for  the  public 

*  2  Sara.  Ti.  22.  f  2  Cor.  v.  13 ;  Markiii.  21. 

t  Paley's  Moral  Philosophy,  vol.  li.  p.  100. 


-1 


140  MEMOIRS  OF  THE 

eye.  They  are  the  simple  details  of  daily  occurrences ;  de- 
signed, perhaps,  to  interest  his  family,  and  keep  alive  in  his  own 
remembrance  a  sense  of  the  divine  goodness.  Yet,  on  this  ac- 
count, they  may  be  regarded  as  the  more  faithful  witnesses  of 
the  scenes  through  which  he  passed,  and  of  his  views  respect- 
ing them.  It  is  impossible  to  read  the  facts  recorded,  without 
prejudice,  and  not  discern  in  them  the  man  of  God  ; — his  time 
spent  in  laborious  and  incessant  occupation ; — a  piety  fervent, 
but  rational  ;  with  less  admixture  of  human  infirmity,  than  may 
be  found  in  the  diaries  of  many  other  good  men  ; — a  holy  eleva- 
tion of  spirit  in  the  pursuit  and  possession  of  his  object,  com- 
bined with  deep  humility ; — a  habit  of  devotion,  and  increasing, 
personal  piety,  in  the  midst  of  almost  universal  respect  and  po- 
pularity ; — a  sense  of  danger,  and  constant  prayer  to  be  pre- 
served from  it ; — and  what,  perhaps,  is  more  than  all,  in  the 
midst  of  labours  unceasing,  various,  and  exciting,  abroad, — a 
constant  eye  to  the  claims  at  home. 

The  editor  has  no  inclination  to  amplify  the  preceding  re- 
marks on  the  missionary  tours  of  his  friend,  except  from  a  de- 
sire of  rendering  them  useful  to  those  excellent  men,  who  are 
following  the  course  in  which  he  took  the  lead.  Mr.  Richmond 
needed  more  repose  than  he  allowed  himself,  and  shortened  his 
valuable  life  by  over-exertion.  There  is  much  error  in  the  trite 
maxim  often  quoted,  "  it  is  better  to  wear  out  than  to  rust  out 
surely,  it  is  a  point  of  practical  wisdom,  to  preserve  a  medium 
between  indolence  and  over-effort :  and  the  editor  cannot  but 
consider  that  exertion  beyond  the  Hmits  assigned  to  human 
power  is  little  better  than  a  moral  suicide.  If  good  men  were 
to  satisfy  themselves  of  the  sinfulness  of  over-strained  activity, 
they  would  submit  to  the  rein  for  conscience'  sake.  It  appears, 
that  besides  the  fatigue  of  hastening  from  one  place  to  another 
to  fulfil  his  engagements,  Mr.  Richmond  generally  preached 
three  sermons  on  the  sabbath,  and  often  five  or  six  more  in  the 
course  of  the  week.  His  fatigue  was  also  increased  by  the 
crowded  congregations  who  assembled  to  hear  him.  The  hours 
which  should  have  been  given  to  a  cessation  from  labour,  were 
unceasingly  occupied  in  conducting  family  worship,  and  con- 
versing at  every  meal  with  persons  who  were  invited  to  meet  him. 
On  these  occasions  he  took,  as  was  expected,  a  prominent  part  in 
the  conversation ;  which  however  useful  to  others,  must  have 
insensibly  exhausted  his  strength.  The  >vriter,  who  accompa- 
jiied  him  in  many  of  these  tours,  often  expressed  a  fear  that  he 
would  soon  become  a  wreck  in  mind  and  body,  as  the  inevitable 
result  of  such  continued  exertions.    His  reply  was  generally 


REV.  LEGH  RICHMOND. 


Ml 


Uie  same,  "  I  am  not  fatigued  :  I  do  not  feel  it ;"  but  it  was  im- 
possible not  to  feel  apprehensive  that  imbecility  or  a  premature 
old  age,  must  ultimately  succeed  such  unceasing  and  exhausting 
efforts.  The  political  and  religious  world  have  had  some  bea- 
cons held  out  to  them,  from  which  they  might  gather  an  instruc- 
tive warning,  and  learn  to  acknowledge  the  wisdom  of  a  remark 
made  by  an  estimable  character,  "  I  labour  less,  that  I  may  la- 
bour the  longer;"  he  might  have  added,  with  greater  benefit 
to  the  church  of  God,  in  the  season  of  matured  experience  and 
ripened  judgment."  In  the  midst  of  these  multipHed  engage- 
ments, the  writer  could  not  refrain  from  asking  his  friend, 
*'  Whence  do  you  obtain  supplies  for  these  extraordinary  de- 
mands 1"  Hours  of  retirement  and  meditation  are  necessary 
to  every  Christian  ;  still  more  necessary  to  the  minister  of  reli- 
gion, and  most  of  all  to  those  who  are  exposed  to  the  tempta- 
tions and  distractions  of  public  life.  The  largest  reservoir  will 
fail,  unless  it  receives  continual  supplies.  Mr.  Richmond,  in 
these  circumstances,  felt  his  need  of  redoubled  watchfulness  and 
prayer  :  he  not  only  rose  early  in  the  morning  to  seek  commu- 
nion with  the  Father  of  spirits,  and  retired,  as  early  as  circum- 
stances allowed,  from  the  converse  of  man,  that  he  might  renew 
his  strength  in  waiting  upon  God  ;  but  it  was  the  constant  habit 
of  his  mind  throughout  the  day,  by  secret  ejaculations,  to  draw- 
down help  from  above. 

Besides  this,  he  had  by  previous  research  collected  his  mate- 
rials, and  by  close  study  had  so  mastered  his  subject,  that  he  re- 
quired less  time  for  preparation  than  most  men.  He  would  often 
arrange  his  ideas  for  a  sermon,  as  he  was  travelHng  to  the  place 
where  it  was  to  be  dehvered ;  and  the  abundance  of  his  resources, 
together  with  a  remarkable  facility  of  utterance,  contributed  to 
lessen  his  labour.  That  which  most  surprised  me,  was  the  di- 
versified manner  in  which  he  treated  the  same  subject.  An  es- 
teemed friend  of  the  writer^s  once  assured  him,  that  he  went  to 
hear  Mr.  Richmond  preach  three  sermons  on  one  Sunday.  He 
said,  he  expected  there  would  be,  of  course,  a  similarity  in  the 
discourses  ;  and  yet  they  proved  to  be  as  varied  as  if  they  had 
been  delivered  by  three  different  preachers. 

He  has  been  known  to  have  collected  in  these  excursions  from 
800/.  to  a  lOOOL  ;  and  he  once  told  the  editor,  that  the  fruits  of 
one  of  these  journeys  were  not  less  than  1200/.  But  though 
money  forms  the  sinews  of  charity  no  less  than  of  war,  and  is 
indispensable  to  the  operations  of  every  society ;  it  was  the 
tstablishment  of  missionary  views  and  principles^  the  correction 
of  errors,  and  the  removal  of  prejudices^  and  the  enforcement  of 

13 


142 


MEMOIRS  OF  THE 


the  claims  of  Jews  and  Gentiles  on  th  e  prayers  and  benevolence  of 
the  Christian  public,  which  formed  one  of  the  most  prominent 
features  of  usefulness  in  these  tours  :  we  may  add  another,  of 
which  he  never  lost  sight,  in  preaching  either  for  Jews  or  Gen- 
tiles, viz.,  the  close  connexion  of  the  missionary  cause  with  the 
advancement  of  personal  pteiy.  While  he  spoke  of  the  souls  of 
the  Heathen  or  Jews,  he  faithfully  reminded  his  hearers  of  their 
own ;  admonished  them  of  their  obligation  to  improve  their 
Christian  privileges  ;  and  of  the  possibihty  of  many,  at  the  last 
day,  being  admitted  from  the  east  and  from  the  west,  and  from 
the  north,  and  from  the  south,"  while  the  children  of  the  king- 
dom might  be  cast  out ! — that  nommal  Christianity  was,  after  all, 
httle  better  than  Heathen  ignorance  ;  while  it  involved  greater 
guilt,  and  a  more  tremendous  responsibility : — that  personal 
religion  was  one  of  the  best  securities  for  missionary  zeal  and 
exertion  ;  and  that  no  one  was  ever  likely  to  be  successfully  en- 
gaged in  communicating  the  Gospel  to  others,  who  had  not  first 
felt  its  power  and  experienced  its  peace  in  his  own  heart. 

The  writer  of  this  Memoir  can  state,  from  repeated  observa- 
tion, that  the  improved  tone  of  moral  feehng,  and  of  attachment 
to  the  distinguishing  truths  of  the  Gospel,  which  is  now  so  per- 
ceptible throughout  the  kingdom,  may,  to  a  considerable  ex- 
tent, be  traced  to  the  influence  of  these,  and  similar  missionary 
excursions.  He  has  often  heard  his  lamented  friend  observe, 
in  earlier  days  of  these  institutions, — "  the  public  mind  is  gra- 
dually undergoing  a  great  moral  revolution.  Ten  or  twelve 
leading  men  are  doing  all  the  work,  and  bearing  the  burden  and 
heat  of  the  day.  It  will  be  comparatively  easy  for  those  who 
come  after  us  ;  but  the  prejudice,  the  opposition,  and  the  con- 
flict of  opinion,  it  is  ours  to  encounter  ;  and  these  difficulties  are 
good  for  us  ;  for  they  convince  us  of  our  own  weakness,  and 
shew  the  excellency  of  the  cause,  and  the  power  and  strength  of 
Gcfid  in  its  success  and  progress."  We  copy  an  extract  from  a 
letter  to  his  aunt,  in  which  the  same  sentiments  are  expressed. 
"  Incalculable  is  the  national  good  which  is  daily  springing  up 
from  such  exertions.  It  now  appears  capable  of  demcmstration, 
that  the  moral  wilderness  will  eventually  blossom  as  the  rose, 
through  the  blessing  of  God  on  Bible  and  Missionary  institu- 
tions. The  opposition  of  error  and  prejudice  languish  and 
decay ;  while  the  triumphant  career  of  sacred  benevolence  con- 
veys life,  light,  peace,  and  love  ;  and  bears  unequivocal  evidence 
to  the  universe,  that  '  God  is  with  us  of  a  truth.'  " 

We  have  already  stated,  that  Mr.  Richmond's  popularity  did 
not  appear  to  exercise  an  injurious  eflTect  on  his  mind.    It  must 


REV.  LEGH  RICHMOND. 


143 


be  acknowledged  that  ministers  of  great  popular  talents  are  ex- 
posed to  danger,  and  particularly  from  the  indiscreet  admiration 
of  some  of  their  followers,  who  forget  that  ministers,  like  other 
men,  share  in  the  common  corruptions  of  fallen  nature.  But  it 
may  be  observed,  that  the  uncommon  simplicity  and  unfeigned 
humility  of  Mr.  Richmond,  was  a  great  preservative  from  the 
ensnaring  tendency  of  human  applause.  The  writer  can  de- 
clare, from  long  observation  of  his  friend,  that  no  man  more 
uniformly  abstained  from  the  language  of  praise  towards  others, 
or  discouraged  it  more  unreservedly  towards  himself 

Those  too,  who  suppose  that  engagements  of  a  pubUc  nature 
are  an  unbroken  career  of  success  and  popularity,  are  much 
mistaken.  The  advocates  of  a  public  cause  have  much  to  try 
their  faith  and  patience.  There  are  fightings  without  and  fears 
within  ;  subjects  of  deep  humiliation  in  their  own  experience  ; 
and  a  necessity  for  much  meekness,  to  bear  with  the  unreason- 
able opposition  of  enemies,  and  the  prejudices  and  mistakes  of 
friends.  Their  divine  Master  leaves  them  not  without  a  holy 
discipline,  to  keep  them  low  at  his  feet,  and  humble  in  their  own 
eyes. 

Mr.  Richmond  had  the  habit  of  connecting  every  thing  with 
God.  Every  event,  pleasurable  or  painful ;  every  object  in 
nature,  or  work  of  human  ingenuity,  suggested  a  subject  for 
devout  contemplation,  and  filled  his  soul  witli  holy  affections. 
He  seemed  to  possess,  in  religion,  the  secret  once  attributed 
to  recondite  philosophy,  and  all  he  touched  became  gold,  which 
he  converted  to  his  own  use,  and  to  the  benefit  of  others.  This 
holy  transmutation  made  every  place  a  Bethel,  and  every  ob- 
jject  a  cause  of  some  pious  emotion;  and  thus  circumstances 
ensnaring  in  their  natural  tendency,  were  made  to  him  the  me- 
dium of  nearer  access  to  God. 

In  illustration  of  this  remark  we  quote  the  following,  "  Re- 
flections suggested  during  a  Tour  m  Westmorland  and  Lan- 
cashire, with  two  valued  friends and  a  Poetical  effusion, 
written  after  visiting  the  grave  of  Hervey,  in  Northamptonshire. 

"  There  is  peculiar  sweetness  in  the  recollection  of  those 
hours  which  we  have  spent  with  friends  of  a  kindred  spirit, 
amidst  the  beauties  of  created  nature.  The  Christian  can  alone 
find  that  congeniality  in  associates,  who  not  only  possess  a 
lively  and  cultivated  sense  of  the  high  beauty  which  landscape 
scenery  presents  to  the  eye  ;  but  who  can  also  see  creation's 
God  in  every  feature  of  the  prospect.  The  painter  can  imitate, 
the  poet  describe,  and  the  tourist  talk  with  ecstacy  of  the  sub- 
Jtime  and  beautiful  objects  which  constitute  the  scene  before  him. 


144 


MEMOIRS  OF  THE 


But  he  can  only  be  said  to  enjoy  them  aright,  whose  talents, 
taste,  and  affections,  are  consecrated  to  the  glory  of  Him  by 
whom  "  all  things  were  made,  and  without  whom  was  not  any 
thing  made  that  was  made.'  When  the  pencil  that  traces  the 
rich  and  animated  landscape  of  mountains,  lakes,  and  trees,  is 
guided  by  a  grateful  heart  as  well  as  by  a  skilful  hand  ;  then  the 
picture  becomes  no  less  an  acceptable  offering  to  God,  than  it 
is  a  source  of  well-directed  pleasure  to  the  mind  of  man.  And 
when  the  poet,  in  harmonious  numbers,  makes  hill  and  dale 
responsive  to  his  song,  happy  is  it  if  his  soul  be  in  unison  with 
the  harp  of  David,  and  if  he  can  call  on  all  created  nature,  to 
join  in  one  universal  chorus  of  gratitude  and  praise.  The 
Christian  traveller  best  enjoys  scenes  like  these.  In  every 
wonder,  he  sees  the  hand  that  made  it — in  every  landscape,  the 
bounty  that  adorns  it — in  rivers,  fields,  and  forests,  the  Provi- 
dence that  ministers  to  the  wants  of  man — in  every  surroundmg 
object,  he  sees  an  emblem  of  his  own  spiritual  condition — him- 
self a  stranger  and  a  pilgrim,  journeying  on  through  a  country 
of  wonders  and  beauties  ;  alternately  investigating,  admiring, 
and  praising  the  works  of  his  Maker,  and  anticipating  a  holy 
and  happy  eternity  to  be  spent  in  the  Paradise  of  God,  where 
the  prospects  are  ever  new,  and  the  landscapes  never  fade  from 
the  sight!" 

ON  VISITING  THE  GRAVE  OF  HERVEY. 
*'  0  !  for  the  expanded  mind  that  soars  on  high. 
Ranging  afar  with  Meditation's  eye  ! 
That  climbs  the  heights  of  yonder  starry  road, 
Rising  through  nature,  up  to  nature's  God  ! 

"  0  !  for  a  heart  that  seeks  the  sacred  gloom 
Which  hovers  round  the  precincts  of  the  tomb  ! 
While  fancy,  musing  there,  sees  visions  bright, 
In  death  discovering  life — in  darkness  light ! 

"  0  !  for  a  soul  to  trace  a  Saviour's  power, 

In  each  sweet  form  that  decks  the  blooming  flower! 

And,  as  I  wander  such  fair  scenes  among, 

I'll  make  the  Rose  of  Sharon  all  my  song. 

"  What  though  the  chilling  blasts  of  winter's  day 
Forbid  the  garden  longer  to  be  gay  ? 
Of  winter  yet  I'll  not  refuse  to  sing, 
Thus  to  be  followed  by  eternal  spring  f 

"  Hervey  !  be  thou  my  guide  to  point  the  road 
That  leads  far  hence,  to  yonder  blest  abode  ! 
Grant  me  his  faith,  thou  good,  thou  great  Most  High  I 
Let  me  like  Hervey  live — like  Hervey  die  I" 

We  next  insert  an  extract  from  a  letter  addressed  to  his  aunt. 


REV.  LEfeM  RICHMOND. 


145 


in  the  year  1817,  in  refutation  of  a  report  that  his  public  servi- 
ces were  recompensed  by  a  salary. 

"  This  subject  reminds  me  of  an  observation  which  you  made 
when  I  lately  saw  you,  and  to  which  I  for  a  moment  be^  to  draw 
your  attention.  You  said  that  some  person  had  told  either  you 
or  Mrs.  M.  that  I  received  some  pecuniary  compensation  for 
my  services  in  behalf  of  the  religious  institutions  for  which  I  am 
in  the  habit  of  pleading.  I  must  request  that  justice  may  be 
done  to  me,  and  to  the  cause  which  I  espouse.  The  report  is 
false,  in  every  possible  point  of  view.  1  never  did,  nor  ever 
would,  accept  of  a  single  farthing,  from  a  single  individual.  The 
whole  has  ever  been  completely  gratuitous,  and  disinterested. 
Many  valuable  clergymen  are  pursuing  the  same  path  of  useful- 
ness in  their  occasional  excursions  from  home  :  but  they  act  as 
volunteers,  and  not  as  hirelings  ;  we  seek  no  reward  in  this 
world,  but  that  of  seeing  good  done,  and  mankind  benefited. 
Let  this  injurious  report  be  repelled  ;  let  not  prejudice  and  mis- 
take operate  to  the  disadvanta^re  of  trath  and  ch^irity.  I  can 
say,  for  one,  that  if  ever  the  least  departure  were  to  take  place 
from  the  disinterested  plan  of  serving  the  societies  gratuitously,* 
I  would  instantly  abandon  the  ranks  of  their  public  defenders 
and  advocates.  My  services  arise  from  conscientious  principle, 
and  are  neither  directly  nor  obliquely  connected  with  pecuniary 
advantage  ;  but  quite  the  reverse,  if  all  were  known.  Some 
people  seem  to  doubt  the  possibdity  of  disinterested  activity. 
Alas  !  they  know  not  the  motives  which  Christianity  inspires. 
Christ  said  for  himself,  and  all  true  Christians,  '  My  kingdom  is 
not  of  this  world.'  May  we  all  fully  know  what  that  important 
text  means." 

But  the  question  which  will  no  doubt  principally  suggest  itself 
to  the  reader,  is  the  following  : — 

How  was  his  2^'^^^  supplied  in  his  parish  during  these  excur- 
sions ? 

It  wa?  his  fixed  determination  never  to  enter  upon  a  pubhc 
engagement,  till  a  provision  had  been  made  for  the  services  of 
his  parish ;  and  he  seldom  left  home  without  procuring  a  resi- 
dent minister.  Subsequently,  when  the  claims  of  the  different 
pubHc  societies,  and  the  calls  of  his  distant  friends,  required 
him  to  give  up  a  certain  portion  of  his  time,  he  appointed  a  regular 
curate,  who  united  with  that  oflSce  the  care  and  tuition  of  his  chil- 
dren ;  that  neither  his  family  nor  his  people  might  suffer  any 
diminution  of  their  accustomed  privdeges  by  his  absence.  Th(3 

*  An  exception  is,  of  course,  here  implied,  in  behalf  of  t)ie  regular  ofilcial 
agents  of  the  public  societies. 

13* 


146  MEMOIRS  OP  THE 

following  letter,  addressed  to  a  clergyman  who  was  his  tempo* 
rary  representative  during  one  of  these  journeys,  will  prove  that 
he  was  not  satisfied  with  merely  procuring  a  substitute,  but  that 
it  was  his  earnest  wish  to  secure  the  conscientious  and  efficient 
performance  of  the  duty  : — 

"  My  dear  Sir, — I  hope  this  will  meet  you  in  good  health.  In 
committing  my  flock  to  your  care  for  a  season,  I  earnestly  pray 
God  that  you  and  they  may  prosper,  and  profit  together.  I  will 
add  a  few  words  explanatory  of  my  usual  proceedings.  I  have, 
on  Sunday  morning  and  afternoon,  full  services.  My  evening 
service  is  for  the  Sunday  school,  and  I  always  address  them  in 
the  most  free  and  simple  manner.  If  ever  you  speak  without 
full  notes,  this  would  be  your  occasion  ;  if  not,  let  the  children 
be  the  especial  object  of  your  evening  ministry,  in  that  way 
wherein  God  shall  direct  your  heart  and  lips. 

"  You  will  naturally  wish  to  know  my  usual  matter  and  man- 
ner of  preaching.  In  matter,  I  keep  the  Lord  Jesus  Christ 
continually  present,  and  experimentally  applied  to  the  con- 
sciences, affections,  and  understandings  of  the  hearers :  my 
people  are  constantly  used  to  the  exhibition  of  the  saving  offices 
of  Christ,  as  prophet,  priest,  and  king, — all  and  in  all : — strength- 
eninii,  comforting,  guiding,  and  making  the  believing  sinner 
meet  for  the  inheritance  of  the  saints  in  light.  I  preach  the  du- 
ties of  Christians,  not  as  detached  and  separable  appendages  to 
doctrines,  but  as  intimately  connected,  and  infallibly  mixed  with 
them,  and  flowing  from  them  :  still  keeping  the  work  of  the 
Holy  Spirit  in  view,  as  convincing,  directing,  and  revealing  Jesus 
as  the  principle  of  both  justification  by  faith  alone,  and  of  sanc- 
tification  through  the  Holy  Spirit.  These  rich,  never  failing, 
fruitful,  and  consolatory  truths,  I  feel  to  be  the  great  subject  and 
object  of  the  Christian  ministry  ;  and  as  such,  I  have  ever 
preached  them  fully,  freely,  and  experimentally.  Give  them, 
my  dear  sir,  these  plain  scriptural  truths  in  godly  simpri«ity,  and 
they  will  love  and  bless  you.  In  point  of  length,  I  wouii  re- 
commend from  35  to  45  minutes  as  the  extreme  limits. 

"  As  to  manner  ;  my  first  object  is,  to  exhibit  affection,  earn- 
estness, and  real  desire  that  every  sentiment  and  every  sentence 
may  profit  the  hearts  of  my  hearers. 

<'  I  rely  on  your  brotherly  and  friendly  feelings  to  allow  for 
the  frankness  of  these  accounts  of  my  unworthy  self,  as  I  am 
sure  you  would  wish  me  to  explain  the  objects  so  near  my 
heart. 

"  On  Friday  evening  I  have  a  lecture,  to  a  small  but  listen- 


REV.  LEGH  RICMMOKD. 


147 


ing  people.  In  hay  and  harvest  time  it  is  much  reduced.  My 
valued  friend,  Mr.  Barker,  will  afford  you  any  and  every  in- 
formation concerning  parochial  matters.  He  will  introduce  you 
to  some  of  the  sick,  and  other  poor  people  ;  and  you  will  find 
religious  conversational  intercourse  in  visiting  the  poor,  a  sure 
road  to  their  hearts  ;  and,  during  my  absence,  no  small  satis- 
faction to  mine. 

"  Mr.  Barker  will  tell  you  all  about  my  new  school  plans,  in 
which  he  is  very  useful  to  me.  In  all  these  things,  my  dear 
sir,  you  will  now,  for  a  season,  be  my  substitute.  Pray  to  God 
for  direction  ;  and  after,  pray  for  your  absent  friend.  Do  the 
work  of  an  evangelist — resting  on  the  special  promises  made 
to  ministers  and  flocks.  Be  sincere,  humble,  affectionate  and 
earnest ; — keep  close  to  the  Gospel  of  our  blessed  Master  ;  in 
private  and  in  public  ;  and  may  He  comfort  and  strengthen  you 
in  all  things, 

"  Be  so  kind  to  be  exact  in  the  times  of  commencing  the  dif- 
ferent services.  Sunday  morning,  at  ten  ;  afternoon,  at  half- 
past  two  ;  evening,  at  six  ;  Friday  evening,  at  a  quarter  before 
^even. 

"  In  the  same  spirit  in  which  I  have  written  to  you  on  my 
feelings  and  wishes  as  a  minister,  I  now  also  wish  you  to  re- 
ceive these  expressions  as  a  friend  and  a  brother  ;  and  to  be  as- 
-sured  that  I  am, — Very  affectionately  and  faithfully,  yours, 

Legh  Richmond. 

•    "  Rev.  Mr.  R  s,  Turveij:' 

He  was  also  in  the  habit,  on  these  occasions,  of  writing  pas- 
toral letters  to  his  people,  to  convince  them  that,  though  absent 
for  a  season,  he  was  still  not  unmindful  of  their  spiritual  welfare. 
These  epistles  are  written  with  much  plainness  of  style,  united 
with  useful  admonitions,  and  suitable  references  to  the  circum- 
stances of  the  parish.  The  Rev.  Mr.  Ward,  the  excellent  mi- 
Dister  of  Iver,  has  long  adopted  this  practice  on  a  more  ex- 
tended scale,  by  addressing  a  yearly  epistle  to  his  parishioners, 
containing  the  substance  of  his  pastoral  thoughts  and  reflec- 
tions :  and  we  think  this  example  worthy  of  being  recommend- 
,  ed  to  general  imitation  ;  as  they  are  pleasing  memorials  of  af- 
fection and  zeal,  and  seem  calculated  to  strengthen  the  bond  of 
union  which  ought  ever  to  subsist  between  a  minister  and  his 
-people.  We  shall  not  now  insert  those  of  Mr.  Richmond,  be- 
^iwise  they  contain  allusions  to  events  which  we  have  not  yet 
iiad  tke  opportunity  of  relating,  and  because  we  are  desirous  of 


148 


MEMOIRS  OF  THE 


presenting  the  reader  with  the  various  details  of  his  public  en- 
gagements without  the  interruption  of  other  subjects. 

Perhaps  some  may  be  disposed  to  think  that  the  excitement 
and  popularity  of  Mr.  Richmond's  public  life,  might  disqualify 
him  for  the  more  homely  and  retired  duties  of  a  country  parish 
priest. 

That  he  returned  with  his  mind  deeply  impressed  with  the 
importance  of  the  cause  that  he  had  been  pleading,  is  most 
true  ;  but  the  use  that  he  made  of  this  impression  was  to  en- 
deavour to  enkindle  in  the  breasts  of  others,  the  flame  which 
warmed  and  animated  his  own.  He  therefore  drew  attention  to 
these  subjects — introduced  them  into  his  sermons ;  described 
the  state  of  the  Heathen  world — their  idolatries — their  atrocious 
rites  ; — the  burning  of  women  on  the  funeral  pile — their  awful 
ignorance — their  perishing  stale  ;  and  the  bounden  duty  of 
Christians  to  send  them  that  Gospel  which  the  mercy  of  God 
had  put  into  their  own  hands.  These  communications  were 
then  novel,  and  excited  considerable  interest. 

It  has  been  said  that  such  objects  are  too  remote  to  engage 
the  attention  of  the  poor  ;  and  that  their  poverty  disables  them 
from  contributing  any  thing  to  their  support.  But  the  principal 
qualification  for  appreciating  missions  is  a  sense  of  the  worth  of 
an  immortal  soul :  and  he  who  knows  the  value  of  his  own  soul, 
be  he  poor  or  rich,  needs  no  other  argument  to  inspire  a  desire 
to  savo  the  souls  of  others  :  and  it  must  be  mentioned  to  the  ho- 
nour of  the  lower  classes,  that  they  have  been  found  to  be  valu- 
able and  efficient  friends  of  missionary  exertions  ;  not  only  by 
the  fervour  of  their  prayers,  but  also  by  the  amount  of  their  pe- 
cuniary contributions.  To  many  of  them  may  be  applied  the 
touching  commendation  of  the  apostle,  when  speaking  of  the 
poor  disciples  of  Corinth — "  In  a  great  trial  of  affliction,  the 
abundance  of  their  joy,  and  their  deep  poverty,  abounded  unto 
the  riches  of  their  liberality ;  for  to  their  power,  I  bear  record, 
yea,  and  beyond  their  power,  they  were  willing  of  themselves; 
praying  us,  with  much  intreaty,  that  we  would  receive  the  gift, 
and  take  upon  us  the  fellowship  of  the  ministering  to  the  saints : 
and  this  they  did,  not  as  we  hoped,  hut  first  gave  their  own-sehes 
to  the  Lord,  and  unto  us  by  the  will  of  God^ — 2  Cor.  viii.  2 — 5. 

The  people  of  Turvey  soon  expressed  a  desire  to  contribute 
their  aid  ;  and  a  Bible  and  Missionary  society  were  accordingly 
established.  Mr.  Richmond  found  the  introduction  of  thesf^ 
subjects  to  be  attended  with  the  happiest  effects.  His  people 
acquired  more  enlarged  views  ;  they  read  their  Bibles  with  in- 
creasing interest ;  comprehended  better  the  scope  of  prophecy. 


REV.  LEGH  RICHMOND. 


149 


and  the  future  spread  of  the  everlasting  Gospel  among  all  the 
nations  of  the  world  ;  they  prayed  for  its  accomplishment,  and 
the  cause  of  missions  became  dear  to  their  hearts.  There  was 
also  a  re-action  upon  themselves, — they  were  led  to  a  more  ear- 
nest examination  of  their  own  state  before  God.  In  reading 
the  simple  narratives  of  poor  negroes  mourning  for  their  sins,  or 
rejoicing  in  the  peace  and  consolations  of  the  Gospel,  they  caught 
the  happy  contagion;  they  wondered  to  see  emotions  described 
so  like  their  own;  discovered  that  the  human  heart  is  every 
where  the  same  ;  and  that  the  grace  of  God,  confined  to  no 
clime  or  colour,  can  impart  its  saving  influences  to  men  of  eveiy 
nation,  tongue,  and  kindred.  In  thinking  of  the  souls  of  others, 
they  became  increasingly  interested  for  their  own  ;  and  learned 
to  implore  that  grace  with  renewed  earnestness  for  themselves, 
the  transforming  power  and  efficacy  of  which  they  saw,  in  the 
instance  of  a  once  benighted  Heathen. 
Another  question  may  occur. 

Did  his  family  sustain  no  injury  by  his  frequent  absence  from 
them  ? 

They  were  left  in  the  hands  of  an  excellent  mother ;  to  whose 
assiduous  and  affectionate  care,  none  bore  a  more  willing  or 
frequent  testimony  than  Mr.  Richmond.  But  his  own  ceaseless 
solicitude  for  the  welfare  of  his  children  will  be  best  shewn  by 
the  following  letters  ;  together  with  some  valuable  admonitions 
addressed  to  his  daughters,  and  rules  for  their  general  conduct 
and  deportment. 

"  October,  1815. 

"  My  dear  Child, — This  may  probably  reach  you  on  your 
birthday.  It  is  a  day  which  should  remind  you  of  the  import- 
ance of  time,  and  the  swift  approach  of  eternity.  It  bids  you 
remember  your  ( "reator  in  the  days  of  your  youth.  But  have 
you  ever  done  so  aright  ?  Have  you  seen  yourself  a  sinner,  and 
gone  to  the  blood  of  Christ  for  pardon  ?  Forms  and  notions 
never  yet  saved  a  soul ;  and  have  you,  indeed,  ever  gone  fur- 
ther than  forms  and  notions  ?  My  child,  be  in  earnest ;  it  is  no 
trifle  whether  you  have  real  grace  or  not :  it  is  every  thing  to 
ascertain  this  point,  and  to  act  upon  it.  Do  you  feel  a  burden 
of  sin  for  daily  off'ences  ? — do  you  repent? — do  you  pray  from 
the  heart  1  Suppose  God  were  to  see  good  to  bring  you  to  a 
bed  of  death,  where  are  your  evidences  that  you  are  really  his 
child?  Think  in  how  many  ways  you  have  offended  him  in 
thought,  word  and  deed  !  What  but  a  Saviour's  blood  can  wipe 
it  away? 


150 


MEMOIRS  OF  THE 


"  It  is  full  time,  my  dear  F  ,  that  you  shew  a  decision  of 

character,  in  that  humble  yet  determined  separation  of  life,  which- 
distinguishes  a  common  (alas !  too  common,)  fiominally  Chris-I 
tian  child,  from  a  child  that  believes  in  Christ,  loves  God,  and  isl 
taught  by  the  Holy  Spirit. 

"  Secret,  free  prayer,  is  a  great  testimony  that  a  work  of  grace 
is  begun.  But  do  you  thus  pray?  Have  you  found  out  the 
sins  into  which  yon  are  the  most  liable  to  fall,  and  most  easily 
tempted  to  commit  ?  These  are  your  bosom  foes,  and  must  be 
resisted  in  a  different  strength  from  any  which  you  naturally  pos- 
sess. That  strength  is  only  to  be  obtained  in  Christ,  and  by 
believing  in  him  and  him  alone.  Grace,  free  grace,  reigns  in 
every  step  of  the  Christian  progress.  Do  you  ever  feel  these 
things  as  a  matter  of  uneasmess,  or  desire,  or  hope,  or  fear  1  It 
will  not  satisfy  me,  and  I  hope  it  will  not  satisfy  you,  that  you 
have  had  so  many  advantages  of  a  Christian  education,  unless 
you  prove  to  yourself  and  me,  that  there  is  a  work  of  the  Spirit 
in  your  heart.  What  a  delightful  display  the  Lord  gave  us  of 
his  goodness  and  power,  when  that  dear  and  beloved  woman, 
your  mother  and  my  wife  (it  is  my  highest  earthly  privilege  to 
call  her  so,)  lay,  as  we  thought,  on  the  bed  of  death  !  You  can- 
not have  forgotten  it — no  one  that  saw  it  ever  could.  But  that 
day  was  a  warning  and  a  consolation  for  us ; — oh  !  may  we  use 
it  as  both.  But  do  not  deceive  yourself — mere  natural  feelings 
and  meltings  of  heart  are  not  enough.  Sin,  sin  is  the  great 
cause  of  sorrow ;  and  therefore  must  you  weep.  Carry  sin  to 
Jesus,  he  will  hide  it  for  ever  from  his  Father's  sight.  Angels 
rejoice  when  children  weep  for  sin. 

"  Read  '  Little  Jane !'  two  Sunday  scholars  at  Manchester 
have  been  converted  to  God  this  summer,  by  reading  it — and 
must  my  own  dear  child  heed  it  not?    I  trust  not.    Pray,  dear 

F  ,  for  faith  and  love  to  Jesus.    Happy  shall  I  be  to  hear 

from  yourself  (when  it  does  indeed  come  from  your  heart,)  either 
by  letter  or  word  of  mouth,  that  you  feel  a  true  concern  for 
your  never-dying  soul.  And  so  may  God  give  you  many  happy 
years,  if  it  so  please  him.  If  not,  may  he  take  your  pardoned 
soul  to  himself,  in  his  own  time. — Love  to  my  dear  H., 

"  From  her  and  your  truly  affectionate  father. 

*'  Tell  H.,  that  I  write  every  word  of  this  for  her,  as  well  as 
for  you." 

"Keswickj  Oct.  16,  1815. 
*'  My  dear  Daughter, — The  exquisite  beauty  and  sublimity  of 
this  country  almost  makes  a  pen  move  of  itself.    Never  did  1 


REV.  LEGH  RICHMOND. 


]51 


pass  so  beautiful  a  day  as  this  at  the  Lakes.  I  shall  sing  the 
praises  of  October,  as  the  loveliest  of  months.  This  morning, 
at  six  o'clock,  I  was  walking  on  the  banks  of  Winandermere,  to 
catch  a  sun-rise.  [  had  every  thing  I  could  wish,  and  observed 
the  progress  of  day  with  delight.  The  mysterious  rolhng  of 
clouds  across  the  hills  announced  the  first  mfluence  of  the  sun. 
Tints  the  most  beauteous  skirted  the  eastern  clouds  ;  those  on 
the  west  caught  them  as  by  sympathy.  Various  patches  of 
mountains  soon  gleamed  with  the  reflection  of  the  yet  unseen 
luminary  ;  and  such  innumerable  vicissitudes  of  light  and  shade, 
and  claro  obscuro  filled  the  scene,  as  no  tongue  can  utter.  The 
Lake,  in  all  its  length  of  thirteen  miles,  lay  beneath  me,  with  its 
thirty  islands.  I  heard  the  early  lowing  of  the  cows^  the  bleat- 
ing of  the  sheep,  the  neighing  of  the  horses,  the  twittering  of 
the  birds,  the  rustling  of  the  breeze,  the  rippling  of  the  water, 
and  dashing  of  the  oar,  in  a  gentle  kmd  of  harmony.  The  sun 
advanced,  and  threw  a  blaze  of  magnificent  lustre  over  this 
Paradisaical  landscape.  I  soon  crossed  over  the  Lake,  and 
passed  through  rich  scenes  of  wonder  and  loveliness.  I  saw 
Coniston  and  Grassmere  Lakes,  under  circumstances  of  pecu- 
liar advantage.  Clusters  of  mountains  and  lesser  hills,  clothed 
with  crags,  brown  fern,  red  lichens,  green  grass,  purple  heath, 
bushes,  barren  guUeys,  cascades,  wild  streaks,  rolling  mists, 
bright  sun-shine,  &c.  presented  incessant  variety.  Hill  towered 
above  hill, — Alpine  peaks  reared  their  heads, — groves  filled  the 
valleys,  and  cottages  were  sprinkled  in  wild  profusion. 

"  I  dined  at  a  httle  romantic  inn,  at  the  foot  of  the  mountain 
Helvellyn.  The  Lake  of  Leathes  Water  extended  its  four  miles* 
length  close  by.  My  parlour  window  faced  the  great  hill — a 
mountain  stream  fell  from  a  great  height,  tumbling  with  a  mur- 
muring sound  down  into  the  vale.  -  Something  dimmed  the  pane 
of  glass  through  which  I  viewed  it.  On  inspection,  I  found  tho 
following  lines,  written  with  a  diamond  : — 

'  Flow,  mountain  streamlet,  swiftly  flow, 
And  fertilize  the  Tale  below — 
Sweet  emblem  of  that  gracious  love 
Which  pours  down  blessings  from  above 
The  stream  of  mercy,  Lord  1  i^  thine, — 
The  lowly  heart  that  feels  it,  mine.' 

On  another  pane  was  written — 

*  Forget  not,  mortal  traveller,  thou  must  die, 
Before  thy  journey's  end,  ask,—'  "Where  am  I 


152 


MEMOIRS  OP  THE 


^'  And  once  more — 

'  These  lovely  scenes  before  thine  eyes 

Form  a  terrestrial  Paradise. 

But  this  shall  quickly  pass  away : 

Then  seek  one  in  eternal  day.'  ^ 

^'  Thence  I  advanced  to  Keswick.  Before  me  stood  the 
giants  of  the  scenery — Skiddaw  and  Saddleback — in  sublime 
beauty,  not  to  be  expressed.  Their  length,  their  breadth,  their 
height,  their  wildness,  their  roughness,  their  smoothness,  their 
surface,  their  profile,  their  tout  ensemble,  most  grand,  most  in- 
teresting. At  length  the  Lakes  of  Derwentwater  and  Bas- 
senthwaites  burst  upon  the  eye  with  all  the  charms  that  painters 
and  poets  love,  and  which  Christians  know  how  to  love  far  bet- 
ter than  either.  The  scene  from  a  hill,  a  mile  on  the  road  from 
Keswick,  so  much  exceeds  the  powers  of  my  pen  to  describe, 
that  I  can  only  say — '  How  amiable  are  thy  tabernacles,'  O 
Lord,  the  Creator ! 

I  watched  the  moon  decline  on  the  Lake,  and  then  studied 
the  whole  scene  by  the  finest  starlight  I  ever  beheld.  Mars  is 
now  in  the  east,  like  Jupiter;  yea,  bright  as  a  moon.  The 
Great  Bear  hangs  pendant  exactly  over  Skiddaw,  and  Mars 
rises  triumphantly  over  the  summit  of  Saddleback ;  the  Galaxy 
sweeps  over  the  hemisphere,  white  as  milk,  and  clear  as  moon- 
light. All  is  solemn,  silent,  peaceful.  I  write  you  this  faint 
breathing  of  expression.  Could  you  copy  these  scenes,  I  should 
be  proud  of  your  company  here  :  I  trust  some  day  you  will. 

"  This  morning,  as  I  stood  on  an  eminence,  looking  down  on 
the  exquisitely  lovely  Lake  of  Grassmere,  environed  by  its  am- 
phitheatre of  mountains,  a  momentary  shower  produced  a  rain- 
bow ; — it  extended  from  hill  to  hill,  over  the  valley,  and  seemed 
like  a  bridge  for  angels  to  pass  over  from  one  district  of  Para- 
dise to  another  : 

'  And  as  they  pass,  let  angels  sing 
The  wonders  of  creation's  King  ; 
And  while  they  tune  their  harps  to  praise, 
I'd  gladly  catch  their  solemn  lays  ; 
Unite  with  their's  my  feeble  tongue, 
And  give  to  gratitude  my  song.' 

"  My  dear  M  ,  I  leave  you,  in  much  love,  a  few  fatherly 

hints. 

1.  Be  constant  in  private  prayer. 

2.  Be  wise  in  the  choice  of  books  ;  shun  every  thing  of  the 
romance  and  novel  kind  ;  and  even  in  poetry,  keep  to  what  is 
iiseful  and  instructive,  as  well  as  pleasant. 


REV.  LEGH  RICHMOND.  153 

3.  In  company,  shew  that  the  principles  of  your  father's  house 
and  ministry  are  your  rule  of  conduct,  and  your  real  delight. 
Be  consistent — cheerful,  but  not  Hght  ;  conversible,  but  not 
trifling. 

4.  Keep  ever  in  view,  that  you  are  supporting  my  character 
and  credit,  as  well  as  your  own. 

5.  Shew  a  marked  preference  to  such  conversation,  remarks, 
persons,  discussions,  and  occupations  as  may  tend  to  essential 

6.  Always  think  before  you  speak  ;  say  and  do  neither  hastily 
nor  unadvisedly.  / 

7.  If  any  proposal  is  ever  made  to  you,  in  which  you  hesitate 
how  to  act,  first  say  to  yourself — how  would  God  have  me  to 
act  ?  Secondly — what  would  my  parents  have  me  to  do,  if  they 
were  here  to  advise  me  ? 

8.  Never  lose  sight  of  this  :  that  the  more  public  my  name, 
character,  and  ministry  is  become,  the  more  eyes  and  ears  are 
turned  to  my  children's  conduct ;  they  are  expected,  in  know- 
ledge and  circumspection,  in  religion  and  morals,  in  opinions 
and  habits,  to  shew  where  they  have  been  educated ;  and  to 
adorn,  not  only  their  Christian  profession,  but  their  parents' 
principles. 

9.  In  mufsic,  prefer  serious  to  light  compositions ;  and  in 
vocal,  keep  close  to  sacred  words. 

10.  Pray  much  for — Your  affectionate  father, 

"  Legh  Richmond." 

"  P.  S.  I  send  you  the  following  application  of  a  sermon, 
from  Eph.  v.  15,  16  :— 

On  circumspection  of  ivalk ;  redemption  of  time  ;  and  gene- 
ral transparency  of  character. 

1.  Adhere  most  scrupulously  to  truth ;  and  labour  to  preserve 
The  strictest  integrity,  simplicity,  and  sincerity. 

2.  Engage  in  no  pursuit  in  which  you  cannot  look  up  unto 
God,  and  say,  "  Bless  me  in  this,  0  my  Father  !" 

3.  Strive  to  be  as  kind,  forbearing,  and  forgiving  as  you  can, 
both  to  friends  and  foes. 

4.  Never  speak  evil  of  any  one,  on  any  pretence  whatever. 

5.  Strive  to  recommend  religion  by  the  courtesy,  civility,  and 
condescending  character  of  your  conduct. 

6.  Watch  against  irritation,  positiveness,  unkind  speaking, 
and  anger  :  study  and  promote  love. 

7.  Mortify  lusts,  sensuality,  and  sloth. 

14 


154 


MEMOIRS  OF  THE 


8.  Never  allow  others  to  speak  well  of  you  ;  nor  especially 
yourself,  to  say  or  think  any  thing  of  yourself,  but  as  poorly 
done.  Keep  down  pride  ;  let  it  not  be  indulged  for  a  moment, 
and  watch  against  it. 

9.  Shut  out  evil  imay;mations,  and  angary  thoughts. 

10.  Let  it  be  your  sole  business  here  to  prepare  for  eternity. 
Consider  every  moment  of  time  in  that  view. 

11.  Remember  that  you  have  to  contend  with  a  legion  of 
devils — a  heart  full  of  deceit  and  iniquity,  and  a  world  at  enmity 
with  God. 

12.  Pray  you  may  ever  rejoice  in  the  advancement  of  Christ's 
kingdom,  and  the  salvation  of  sinners  ;  and  labour  in  every  way 
to  promote  these  objects. 

Prayer  is  the  only  weapon  which  can  subdue  your  corrup- 
tions, and  keep  your  evidences  bright.    Cultivate  prayer." 

"  To  my  Daughters. — With  a  heart  full  of  affection,  I  sit  down 
to  express  a  few  sentiments  and  intimations  of  my  wishes,  as 
connected  with  your  conduct,  in  the  course  of  any  journey  or 
absence  from  home.  I  wish  each  of  you  to  preserve  a  copy  of 
it,  my  dear  children,  and  often  look  at  it ;  take  it  with  you  when; 
from  home,  and  keep  it  safe  when  at  home. 

Independently  of  my  anxious  wishes  for  your  secret,  spirit- 
ual welfare,  I  have  much  to  feel  on  my  own  account,  in  point  of 
credit  and  character,  as  connected  with  your  deportment,  in 
every  house  and  company  into  which  I  may  introduce  you.  I 
have  not  a  doubt  of  your  general  affectionate  wish  to  speak  and 
act  right ;  but  inexperience,  youth,  thoughtlessness,  and  want 
of  more  acquaintance  with  the  world  carnal  and  the  world  reli- 
gious, may  easily  occasion  inconsistencies  and  errors  which 
might  be  injurious  to  your  own,  as  well  as  to  my  comfort  and 
credit.  Accept,  therefore,  a  father's  blessings  and  prayers,  with 
a  father's  chapter  of  admonitions  and  explanations. 

"  You  are  not  unaware  that  my  name  and  character  have 
acquired  much  publicity — that  I  avowedly  belong  to  a  class  of 
Christian  ministers  who  profess,  for  Christ's  and  their  souls' 
sakes,  to  be  separate  from  the  world — to  maintain  purer  and 
more  distinct  views  of  the  Scripture  doctrine — and  to  be  willing 
to  spend  and  be  spent  in  behalf  of  the  truth  as  it  is  in  Jesus.  I 
am,  therefore,  supposed  not  only  to  maintain  a  consistent  sepa- 
ration from  the  follies  and  vices  of  the  world,  its  pomps  and  vani- 
ties, but  to  aim  at  so  ruling  and  guiding  my  household,  that  my 
principles  may  shine  forth  in  their  conduct.  Any  want  of  cor- 
rectness, consistency,  faithfulness,  and  propriety  in  them,  will 


REV.  LEGH  RICHMOND. 


155 


w-ays  attach  a  mixture  of  censure,  surprise,  and  concern,  as  it 
regards  me.  The  triends  of  religion  will  grieve,  and  those  who 
are  otherwise  will  rejoice,  if  you  could  be  drawn  into  compli- 
ances, and  expressions  of  sentiment,  at  variiince  with  your 
father's  ;  always,  therefore,  keep  m  remembrance,  whether  you 
are  in  company  with  decidedly  religious  and  consistent  Chris- 
tians, or  with  those  who  are  only  partially  so,  or  with  those  who 
are  not  so  (unhappily)  at  all, — that  you  have  not  only  your  own 
peace  of  conscience  to  maintain,  but  the  estimation  and  honour 
of  your  parent  also.* 

"  Many  temptations  will  occur,  to  induce  you  to  yield  and 
conform  to  habits  and  principles,  the  \ery  reverse  of  those 
which  you  hear  me  supporting-  both  in  the  pulpit  and  the  par- 
lour. Be  not  ashamed  of  tirmlv,  though  modestly,  in  such 
cases,  resisting  them.  State  what  mine  and  your  principles  are, 
and  heed  not  the  momentary  inpleasantness  of  appearing  sin- 
gular, when  conscience  and  duty  require  it.  You  may  easily 
say,  '  My  father  does  not  approve  of  such  and  such  thintrs,  nei- 
ther can  I.'  No  person  whose  estimation  is  worth  having  will 
think  the  worse  of  you,  for  such  instances  of  mild  but  decisive 
firmness  ;  and  without  it.  I  should  be  disgraced. 

"  All  descriptions  of  public  amusements,  novels,  popular 
amorous  poems,  plays,  sonss,  vanities,  and  finery,  and  all  the 
sad  tribe  of  poisonous  and  dangerous  pursuits,  should  be  regu- 
lated by  this  principle ;  and  0,that  your  own  simplicity  and  love 
to  Christ,  may  never  give  way  to  one  sad  influence  of  false  sen- 
timent, even  amongst  those  whom,  on  other  accounts,  we  may 
esteem  and  regard.  The  half-reiigious  are  often  more  danger- 
ous than  those  who  are  less  so  ;  because  we  are  more  on  our 
guard  in  the  latter  case  than  the  former.  The  great  number  of 
instances  in  which  I  have  seen  the  young  people  of  religious 
families  deeply  injured  in  their  spirits  and  habits,  by  much  visit- 
ing with  persons  of  different  views  and  customs  from  those  of 
their  own  household,  has  made  me,  I  confers,  from  pure  motives 
of  conscience  and  prudence,  very  averse  to  much  of  that  sort  of 
visiting  in  my  own  children's  case,  which  I  know  to  have  been 
productive  of  bad  consequences  in  others.  And  the  difficulty 
of  drawing  the  line  has  always  appeared  very  great  with  my 

*  Should  any  one  think  there  is  too  prominent  u  regard  expre$sed|for  his  own 
reputation,  in  the  advice  and  admonition  he  gives  his  children,  let  such  an  object- 
or compare  Mr  Richmond's  feelings  with  those  of  the  apostle,  in  adverting  to 
the  conduct  of  his  spiritual  children  : — "  Lest  when  I  come  again,  my  God  wHl 
itwnbie  me  amongst  you ;  and  that  I  should  bewail  many  who  have  sinned 
Already,"  &c.    2  Cor.  jdi.  21, 


156 


MEMOIRS  OF  THE 


numerous  friends  and  acquaintance.  Still  I  wish  to  make  you 
happy  in  every  reasonable  way  ;  and  I  am  glad  when  I  can  give 
you  the  advantage  of  new  scenes  and  company,  when  it  is  of  the 
right  kind.  But  as  in  my  journeys  extensive  intercourse  takes 
place,  a  great  variety  of  characters  will  fall  in  your  way  ;  and  I 
wish  tor  all  your  sakes  that  you  may  be  provided  with  sober, 
discreet,  and  religious  cautions,  that  the  natural  ardour  of  youth 
may  not  lead  you  into  unbecoming  or  sinful  compliances.  I 
know  many  families,  and  you  know  a  few,  where,  perhaps,  the 
the  parents  are  religious,  but  their  young  people  are  very  imper- 
fectly, if  at  all  so  ;  in  such  cases  you  may,  from  equality  of  age, 
be  tnrown  much  more  into  the  light,  frivolous,  and  objectionable 
conversation  of  the  younger,  instead  of  the  more  useful  commu- 
nications of  the  elders  of  the  family.  Here  often,  there  is  dan- 
ger ;  ever  prefer  and  choose  those,  of  whatever  age,  in  whom 
you  think  you  discover  a  holy,  serious,  benevolent,  consistent 
way  of  acting  and  speaking. 

A  young  professor  of  religion  has  not,'in  most  instances,  so 
diffi<"ult  a  task  to  sustain,  when  in  conversation  with  those  of  a 
decidedly  religious  department,  as  with  worldly  persons,  and 
those  who  can  scarcely  be  ranked  as  consistently  serious, 
although  often  to  be  mot  with  in  religious  parties  If,  however, 
your  conscience  be  conect,  you  will  see  more  and  more  the  duty 
of  acting  and  speaking  aright,  and  you  must  ever  pray  for  grace 
to  direct  and  govern  you.  Difficulties  and  dangers  of  this  kind 
greatly  m  dtiply  when  those  who,  from  relationship  and  family 
regard,  stand  very  near  to  natural  love  and  affection,  are  never^ 
theless,  in  great  measure,  strangers  to  the  power  of  true  reli- 
gion, and  therefore  mingle  with  the  world  wholly,  pursue  its 
pleasures,  and  support  its  customs.  I  entreat  you  to  be  much 
on  your  guard  in  all  such  cases.  Decays  in  religious  feeling  and 
conduct  continually  arise  from  this  source,  and  endanger  the 
temporal,  spiritual,  and  eternal  welfare  of  many  a  hopeful  family. 

"  1  am  frequently  placed  in  situations  myself,  where  I  find  it 
very  difficult  to  satisfy  my  conscience  that  I  am  doing  right, 
amongst  people  and  families  where  real  religion  has  little  or  no 
part  in  their  ways  and  conversation.  In  trying  to  be  kind,  atten- 
tive, and  too  compliant,  perhaps,  to  </ieir  habits,  I  feel  that  I  am 
in  great  danger  of  strengthening  them  in  evil,  and  always  of 
injuring  my  own  consistency  as  a  Christian. 

«  I  will  now  add  some  remarks,  placed  under  select  heads, 
which  may  make  them  more  conspicuous,  and  better  remember- 
ed :  and  may  God  render  them  useful  to  you  !  Keep  them  con- 
stantly with  you,  and  let  them  be  always  read  over,  at  least  once 
a  week. 


REV.  LEGH  RICHMOND. 


157 


AMUSEMENTS. 

Plays,  balls,  public  concerts,  cards,  private  dances,  &c.  &c. 

Serious,  consistent  Christians,  must  resist  these  things,  be- 
cause the  dauorerous  spirit  of  the  world  and  the  flesh  is  in  them 
all:  they  are  the  -'pomps  and  vanities  of  this  wicked  world,"  so 
solemnly  renounced  at  baptism.  To  be  conformed  to  these 
seductive  and  more  than  frivoloiis  scenes,  is  to  be  conformed  to 
this  world,  or  to  be  opposed  to  the  character  and  precepts  of 
Christ.  They  that  see  no  harm  m  these  things  are  spiritually 
blind  ;  and  they  who  will  not  hear  admonition  against  them  are 
spiritually  deaf.  Shun,  my  girls,  the  pleasures  of  sin,  and  seek 
those  which  are  at  God's  right  hand  for  evermore.  You  cannot 
love  both. 

Blessed  be  God,  you  have  been  kept  far  from  those,  who 
make  such  recreations  their  idols  to  wean  their  hearts  from  God. 
Never  in  any  conversation  speak  lightly  orirtflingly  of  these 
subjects,  as  if  you  had  not  imbibed  proper  sentiments  concern- 
ing them.  Ever  preserve  the  consistency  of  your  parental 
liouse  and  principles. 

BOOKS. 

Characters  are  speedily  discerned  by  their  choice  of  books.— 
Novels  in  prose  I  need  not  now  forbid  ;  ignorant  as  you  are  of 
their  bad  tendency  by  experience,  you,  I  am  persuaded,  trust  me 
on  that  head,  and  will  never  sacrifice  time,  affection,  or  atten- 
tion to  them.  But  beware  of  novels  in  verse.  Poets  are  more 
dangerous  than  prose  writers,  when  their  principles  are  bad. 

"Were  Lord  B  no  better  poet  than  he  is  a  man,  he  might 

have  done  little  harm  ;  but  when  a  bad  man  is  a  good  poet,  and 
makes  his  good  poetry  the  vehicle  of  his  bad  sentiments,  he 
does  mischief  by  wholesale.  Do  not  be  ashamed  of  having 
never  read  the  fashionable  poem  of  the  day.  A  Christian  has 
no  time,  and  should  have  no  inclination  for  any  readmg  that  has 
no  real  tendency  to  improve  the  heart.  The  finest  rule  I  ever 
met  with  in  regard  to  the  choice  of  books,  is  this  : — "  Books  are 
good  or  bad  in  their  efTects,  as  they  make  us  relish  the  word  of 
God,  the  more  or  the  less,  after  we  have  read  them."  There  are 
too  many  valuable  books  on  a  variety  of  subjects,  which  ought 
to  be  read,  to  allow  of  time  to  be  dedicated  to  unworthy  and 
useless  ones. 

MUSIC. 

Shun  all  the  wretched  folly  and  corruption  of  light,  silly,  and 
amorous  songs,  on  the  same  principle  that  vou  would  ^h^n 

14* 


158 


MEMOIRS  OP  THE 


books  of  the  same  nature.  Sacred  music  is  the  true  refuge  of 
the  Christian  musician.  I  wish  your  ears,  your  hearts,  and  your 
tongues  were  oftener  tuned  to  such  melodies.  The  play- 
house, the  opera,  and  the  concert-room  have  deluged  the  world 
with  the  abuses  of  the  heavenly  art  of  music.  Music  was  de- 
signed to  lead  the  soul  to  heaven,  but  the  corruption  of  man  has 
greatly  perverted  the  merciful  intention.  Do  not  you  belong  to 
such  perverters,  nor  seem  to  take  pleasure  in  those  who  do. 

DRESS. 

Aim  at  great  neatness  and  simplicity.  Shun  finery  and  show. 
Be  not  in  haste  to  follow  new  fashions. 

Remember,  that  with  regard  to  dress,  Christians  ought  to  be 
decidedly  plainer,  and  less  showy  than  the  people  of  the  world. 
I  wish  it  to  be  said  of  the  females  of  my  house, — "  with  what 
evident  and  becoming  simplicity  are  the  daughters  of  Simplex* 
attired."    I  refer  you  to  my  last  letter  on  that  subject. 

BEHAVIOUR  IN  COMPANY. 
Be  cheerful,  but  not  gigglers. 
Be  serious,  but  not  dull. 
Be  communicative,  but  not  forward. 
Be  kind,  but  not  servile. 

In  every  company,  support  your  own,  and  your  father's  pn'n- 
ciples  by  cautious  consistency. 

Beware  of  silly  thoughtless  speeches  :  although  you  may  for* 
get  them,  others  will  not. 

Remember  God's  eye  is  in  every  place,  and  his  ear  in  every 
company. 

Bewaro  of  levity  and  fajniliarity  with  young  men  ;  a  modest 
reserve,  without  affectation,  is  the  only  safe  path — grace  is  need- 
ful here  ;  ask  for  it  ;  you  know  where. 

JOURNEYINGS. 
Cultivate  knowledge  as  you  travel : — 

History,  antiquities, — in  cities,  towns,  churches,  castles, 
ruins,  &c. 

Natural  history, — in  plants,  earths,  stones,  minerals,  ani- 
mals, &c. 

Picturesque  taste, — in  landscajfe  scenery  and  all  its  bound- 
less combinations. 


*  Mr.  Richmond's  signature  in  "  the  Christian  GuardianV' 


KEV.  LEGH  RICHMOND. 


159 


Cultivate  good-humoured  contentment,  in  all  the  little  incon- 
veniences incident  to  inns,  roads,  weaiher,  &c. 

Cultivate  a  deep  and  grateful  sense  of  the  power,  wisdom, 
and  goodness  of  God,  in  creation  and  providence,  as  succes- 
sively presented  to  your  notice  from  place  to  place. 

Keep  diaries  and  memoranda  of  daily  events,  places,  persons, 
objects,  conversations,  sermons,  public  meetings,  beauties,  won- 
ders, and  mercies,  as  you  travel.    Be  minute  and  faithful. 

Ask  many  questions  of  such  as  can  afford  useful  information 
as  to  what  you  see. 

Write  your  diary  daily  ; — delays  are  very  prejudicial.  You 
owe  a  diary  to  yourself,  to  your  friends  left  at  home,  and  ta 
your  father,  who  gives  you  the  pleasure  and  profit  of  the  journey. 

PRAYER. 

Strive  to  preserve  a  praying  mind  through  the  day ;  not  only 
at  the  usual  and  stated  periods,  but  every  where,  and  at  all 
times,  and  in  all  companies.  This  is  your  best  preservative 
against  error,  weakness,  and  sin. 

Always  think  yourselves  in  the  midst  of  temptations  ;  and 
never  more  so,  than  when  most  pleased  with  outward  objects  and 
intercourse. 

Pray  and  watch  ;  for  if  the  spirit  be  willing,  yet  the  flesh  is 
deplorably  weak. 

RELIGION. 

Keep  ever  in  mind  that  for  your  own  sake  and  for  my  sake, 
you  have  a  religious  profession  to  sustain  ;  and  this  both  in  seri- 
ous and  worldly  company.  Be  firm  and  consistent  in  them  both. 
Many  eyes  and  ears  are  open  to  observe  what  my  children  say 
and  do,  and-j^ill  be,  wherever  we  go.  Pray  to  be  preserved 
from  errors,  fmlies,  and  offences,  which  bring  an  evil  name  upon 
the  ways  of  God.  You  may  sometimes  hear  ridicule,  preju- 
dice, and  censure  assail  the  friends  of  true  religion — it  ever 
was,  and  will  be  so  :  "  but  blessed  are  they  who  are  persecuted 
for  righteousness'  sake,  for  theirs  is  the  kingdom  of  heaven." 
Be  not  ashamed  of  Christ  here,  and  he  will  not  be  ashamed  of 
you  hereafter. 

Court  and  encourage  serious  conversation  with  those  who  are 
truly  serious  and  convereibie  ;  and  do  not  go  into  valuable  com- 
pany without  endeavouring  to  improve  by  the  intercourse  per- 
mitted to  you.  Nothing  is  m.ore  unbecoming,  when  one  part  of 
1.  company  is  engaged  in  prcnt&bie  and  interesting  conversation, 


160 


MEMOIRS  OP  THE 


than  that  another  part  should  be  trifling,  giggling,  and  talking 
comparative  nonsense  to  ea<  h  other. 

Ever  shew  the  interest  which  you  take  in  the  subjects  of 
schools  for  the  poor,  the  distribution  of  tracts,  the  Bible  and 
Missionary  Societies,  and  ail  those  important  topics  which  so 
deeply  occupy  the  people  of  God  :  and  when  you  can  find  a 
congenial  friend,  talk  of  heaven  and  eternity,  and  your  soul  and 
your  Saviour.  This  will  be  as  a  shield  to  your  head  and  your 
heart. 

ESTIMATE  OF  CHARACTERS. 

Look  first  for  grace.  Do  not  disesteem  good  people  on  ac- 
count of  their  foibles,  or  deficiencies  in  matters  of  little  im- 
portance. Gold  unpolished  is  far  more  valuable  than  the  bright- 
est brass.  Never  form  unfavourable  opinions  of  reUgious  peo- 
ple hastily, — "  Charity  hopeth  all  things."  Prize  those  families 
where  you  find  constant  family  prayer ;  and  suspect  evil  and 
danger,  where  it  is  avowedly  unknown  and  unpractised.  Al- 
ways remember  the  astonishing  difference  between  the  true  fol- 
lowers of  Jesus,  and  the  yet  unconverted  world,  and  prize  them 
accordingly,  whatever  be  their  rank  in  society^ 

Gentility  and  piety  form  a  happy  union  ;  but  poverty  and  piety 
are  quite  as  acceptable  in  the  eyes  of  God, — and  so  they  ought 
to  be  in  ours.  Not  only  are  the  poor  far  more  in  actual  number 
than  the  rich,  but  experience  proves  that  the  proportionate  num- 
ber of  the  truly  serious  amongst  the  poor  is  much  greater  than 
the  corresponding  proportion  of  numbers  amongst  the  rich. 
Take  1000  poor  and  lOOfrich  ;  you  will  probably  find  10  of  the 
latter  serious  ;  but  200  of  the  former  shall  be  so  at  the  same  time.. 

Beware  of  critical  hearing  of  sermons  preached  by  good  men. 
It  is  an  awful  thing  to  be  occupied  in  balancing  the  merits  of  a 
preacher,  instead  of  the  demerits  of  yourself.  Consider  every 
opportunity  of  hearing  as  a  message  sent  you  from  heaven.. 
For  all  the  sermons  you  have  heard,  you  will  have  to  render  aiL 
account  at  the  last  day. 

PARENTS. 
Seek  to  make  them  h^ppy  in  you. 

If  you  perceive  that  any  thing  in  your  tvays  make  them  other- 
wise, you  ought  to  have  no  peace  until  you  have  corrected  it ; 
and  if  you  find  yourself  indifferent  or  insensible  to  their  will  and 
wishes,  depend  upon  it  yours  is  a  carnal,  disobedient,  ungrate- 
•ful  heart.  If  you  love  them,  keep  their  commandments  ;  others- 
wise  love  is  a  mere  word  in  the  mouth,  or  a  notion  in  the  fancy. 


REV.  LEGH  RICHMOND. 


161 


but  not  a  ruling  principle  in  the  heart.  I  hey  know  much  of  the 
world,  you  very  little  :  trust  them,  therefore,  when  they  difier 
from  you  and  retuse  compliance  with  your  desires, — they  watch 
over  you  for  God,  and  are  entitled  to  great  deference  and  cheer- 
ful obedience.  You  may  easily  shorten  the  lives  of  affectionate 
and  conscientious  parents,  by  miscoi^duct,  bad  tempers,  and 
alienation  from  their  injunctions.  Let  not  this  sin  be  laid  to 
your  charge. 

"  I  shall  add  no  more  at  present,  than  that  I  am — Your  affec- 
tionate father,  L.  Richmond.'* 

We  reserve  the  insertion  of  some  interesting  letters,  adaress- 
ed  to  Mrs.  Richmond,  for  another  part  of  this  Memoir. 


CHAPTER  X. 

Detection  of  an  extraordinary  imposture  by  JWr.  Richmond— 
Publication  of  his  Tracts — Revieiv  of  them — Their  great 
popularity  and  extensive  circtdaliou,  <^c. — American  editions 
—  Remarks  on  the  svhjcct — Mr.  Richmond's  connexion  with 
the  Tract  Society. 

In  the  year  1813,  Mr.  Richmond  was  the  means  of  detecting 
Dne  of  the  grossest  impostures  ever  practised  upon  the  credulity- 
3f  the  public.  A  woman,  of  the  name  of  Ann  Moore,  of  Tut- 
3ury,  in  Staffordshire,  professed  to  have  lived  six  years  without 
laving  taken  any  solid  food,  and  four  years  and  a  half  without 
my  liquid.  The  singularity  of  the  case  led  persons  to  visit  her 
irom  various  parts  ;  and  on  these  occasions  .-he  maintained  an 
appearance  of  moral  and  religions  feeling,  which  left  an  im- 
Dression  of  a  highly  favourable  nature  on  the  minds  of  those 
ivho  conversed  with  her.  She  ascribed  her  existence,  in  this 
state  of  inedia,  to  absorption  by  the  iun,v>s  and  skin  ;  and  de- 
clared that  some  physicians  had  assured  her  of  the  possibility  of 
the  case.  Leaving  disquisitions  of  this  nature  to  medical  men, 
.t  is,  nevertheless,  a  well-e.stablished  fact,  that  after  a  watch  of 
sixteen  days,  in  the  year  1808,  during  which  no  discovery  was 
made  of  her  having  taken  any  food  or  hquid  whatsoever,  a 
strong  disposition  prevailed,  among  several  physicians  and  sur- 
geons of  known  tahmt  and  respectability,  to  give  credit  to  her 
assertions.  A  second,  and  stricter  watch,  was,  however,  agreed 
upon,  and  the  arrangement  of  it  committed  to  the  direction  of 
Mr.  Richmond,  who  felt  a  pecuhar  interest  in  the  case,  and 


162 


MEMOIRS  OF  THE 


formed  a  committee  for  the  purpose,  composed  of  several  medi- 
cal and  other  respectable  gentlemen.  The  precautions  were  so 
well  taken  against  the  admission  of  any  kind  of  nourishment, 
that  the  woman  was  reduced  to  a  state  of  exhaustion,  and  finally 
confessed  the  imposture. 

An  excellent  pamphlet  was  drawn  up  on  this  occasion,  by  Mr. 
Richmond,  containing  many  valuable  remarks  of  a  physiologi- 
cal nature  ;  but  as  we  feel  most  interested  in  the  moral  view  of 
the  subject,  we  insert  the  following  reflections  of  the  author, 
arising  from  the  discovery  of  the  hypocrisy  and  pretended  ab- 
stinence of  this  extraordinary  impostor.  We  refer  the  reader 
to  the  pamphlet  itself  for  further  information.* 

"  Those  who  are  accustomed  to  trace  and  admire  the 
leading  steps  of  God's  providential  government  in  the  con- 
duct of  human  affairs,  will  not  fail  to  connect  together  all 
the  links  of  the  chain  of  occurrences  by  which  this  detection 
was  begun  and  completed.  At  the  same  time,  other  hypocrites 
and  impostors  will  be  taught  by  the  present  exposure  of  guilt, 
that '  verily  there  is  a  God  that  judjieth  in  the  earth.' 

"  But  further :  this  woman  pretended  to  a  high  degree  of 
veneration  for  the  Scriptures,  and  the  religion  of  the  Gospel  of 
Christ.  She  had,  partly  by  readiuif  books,  and  partly  by  inter- 
course with  various  persons  of  intelligence  and  piety,  a*  quired 
a  more  than  ordinary  share  of  religious  knowledge.  She  pos- 
sessed a  fluency  of  speech,  and  could  assume  an  interesting 
deportment  in  conversations  of  a  serious  nature. 

"  Hypocrisy  is  at  all  times  odious,  but  religious  hypocrisy 
pre-eminently  so.  Christianity,  in  its  true  character  and  privi- 
leges, is  a  jewel  of  too  high  a  value  not  to  provoke,  from  the 
basest  motives,  many  a  specious,  though  spurious  imitation  of 
its  excellence.  It  cannot  be  denied  that  the  cause  of  rehgion 
has  suffered  much  in  worldly  estimation  through  the  misconduct 
of  unworthy  pretenders.  From  hence  intid  lity  takes  occasion 
to  triumph ;  prejudice  gains  strength ;  licentiousness  grows 
bolder ;  and  the  enmity  of  the  multitude  against  moral  prin- 
ciples and  practice,  finds  a  delusive  apology  for  sin  in  the  expo- 

*  By  the  committee,  wliich  consisted  of  33  clergy  and  gentry,  with  Sir  Os- 
w,ald  Mosley  as  their  chairman,  it  was  resolved  unanimously — "  That  the  thanks 
of  the  Committee  be  given  to  'he  Rev.  L.  lUchmond,  (to  whose  orig  nal  propo- 
sition in  November  last,  and  subsequent  perseverance  in  the  plan  till  the  present 
time,  the  discovery  of  the  imposture  has  been  o^^Jng,)  for  the  pains  he  has  be- 
stow d  on  a  subject  which  has  excited  so  much  public  interest.  And  that  he  be 
requested  to  prepare  for  the  pr-^ss  a  statement  of  facts  relative  to  the  supposed 
abstinence  of  Ann  Moore  ;  and  a  narrative  of  the  circumstances  wliich  led  to 
the  recent  detection  of  the  imposture." — See  Statement  of  Facts,  Preface, 


REV.  LEGH  RICHMOND.  163 

sure  of  the  hypocritical  professor.  True  Christians  will  hence 
learn  the  indispensable  necessity  of  the  most  unbending  upright- 
ness and  simplicity  in  all  the  concerns  of  life  ;  that  they  may 
not  bring  an  evil  name  on  the  cause  which  lies  nearest  to  their 
heart  and  welfare. 

"  Those  who  are  at  all  acquainted  with  the  secret  recesses 
and  operations  of  corruption  in  the  human  heart,  will  find,  in 
the  recent  detection  of  this  impostor,  a  source  of  convincing 
and  improving  meditation.  While  too  many  others,  perhaps, 
may  indulge  in  unfeehng  and  indecorous  levity,  when  contem- 
plating this  discovery  of  sin,  wret*  hedness,  and  shame;  the 
real  behever  in  the  sacred  truths  which  the  Scriptures  reveal, 
will  view  it  with  far  different  feelings.  Such  an  one  too  well 
knows  the  awful  nature  and  tendency  of  sin,  to  dare  even  to 
trifle  with  it  so  much  as  in  thought. 

"  Yet,  however  implicated  the  notoriety  of  this  woman's  sup- 
posed abstinence  may  have  been  with  her  pretensions  of  a  reli- 
gious nature,  real  religion  cannot  eventually  suffer  by  the  disclo- 
sure, of  her  true  character.  Had  she  been  even  more  uniformly 
I  consistent  in  her  outward  conduct  than  was  actually  the  case  ; 
'  yet  truth  cannot  lose  its  integral  virtue  because  falsehood  occa- 
sionally assumes  its  external  garb. — The  Bible  is  still  the  word 
9f  God,  and  oses  none  of  its  intrinsic  worth,  although  it  once 
j  nade  an  ostentatious  appendage  to  the  furniture  of  Ann  Moore. 
Soy  has  the  hallowed  name  of  a  Redeemer  ceased  to  be  holy, 
jecause  her  polluted  lips  have  often  taken  it  in  vain.  The  infi- 
del and  the  profligate  are  in  no  less  danger  of  the  ripening 
vengeance  of  God,  because  they  can  now  point  with  the  finger 
)f  scorn  at  the  detected  hyprocrite.  The  invaluable  blessings 
vhich  genuine  Christianity  ever  did,  and  ever  must  pour  down 
ipon  the  heads  and  hearts  of  its  faithful  professors,  shall  still 
»rove  their  divine  origin  by  the  fruits  they  invariably  produce  ; 
ind  the  temporary  exaltation  of  impostors  and  false  pretenders 
;hall,  in  the  end,  contribute  to  the  lasting  triumph  of  truth. 

"  Moreover,  that  very  religion,  which  this  wretched  woman 
(ossessed  not,  will  direct  the  hearts  of  those  who  are,  happily, 
•artakers  of  its  influence,  to  one  contemplation  more.  They 
vill  view  her  as  an  object  for  pity  and  prayer.  While  the  world 
las  overwhelmed  her  name  with  disgrace,  and  just  indignation 
as  been  excited  against  her  offences — while  a  providential  dis- 
overy  has  arrested  her  iniquity  in  its  prosperous  career,  and 
he  is  now  reduced  to  ignominy  and  shame,  the  Christian  will 
ray  for  her  repentance.  His  abhorrence  of  the  sin,  will  not 
iminish  his  pity  for  the  deplorable  case  of  the  sinner.  3Iedi-. 


164 


MEMOIRS  OP  THE 


iation  upon  his  own  habihty  to  offend,  as  well  as  a  review  of  the 
i  many  sad  proofs  of  human  depravity  which  he  daily  sees  around 
bim,  will  forcibly  lead  his  afiections,  amidst  the  occurrences  of 
time,  to  contemplate  an  approaching  eternity.  There,  through 
the  medium  of  the  Scripture  revelation,  he  will  trace  the  records 
of  divine  mercy ;  and  will  feel  it  to  be  his  privilege  and  dehght 
to  plead,  in  a  Saviour's  name,  for  the  pardon  of  this  presumptu- 
ous offender.  And  while  thus  occupied,  his  hope  and  his  prayer 
will  be,  that  '  where  sin  hath  abounded,  grace  may  much  more 
abound.'  " 

We  have  already  incidentally  alluded  to  Mr.  Richmond's 
tracts,  and  now  resume  the  subject. 

During  his  residence  in  the  Isle  of  Wight,  some  interesting 
events  occurred,  connected  with  his  ministry,  which  he  first 
made  known  to  the  public  through  the  medium  of  the  '*  Chris- 
tian Guardian."*  These  communications  having  excited  much 
attention,  he  was  afterwards  induced  to  publish  them  in  the  form 
of  tracts,  of  which  the  first  that  made  its  appearance  was  "  the 
Dairyman's  Daughter."  "The  Negro  Servant,"  and  "the 
Young  Cottager,  or  Little  Jane,"  successively  followed :  and 
finally,  in  the  year  1814,  they  were  united  into  one  volume, 
under  the  title  of  "  Annals  of  the  Poor,"!  with  the  following 
appropriate  motto,  from  Gray  : — 

Let  not  ambition  mock  their  useful  toil, 

Their  homely  joys  and  destiny  obscure  ; 
Nor  grandeur  hear,  with  a  disdainful  smile, 

TJie  short  and  simple  annals  of  the  poor. 

His  "  Dairyman's  Daughter"  rapidly  acquired  an  unexampled 
» celebrity.  It  was  read  with  an  avidity  that  required  successive 
-editions  to  satisfy  the  demands  of  the  public,  and  soon  became 
the  most  popular  tract  of  the  day.  The  author,  from  the  gene- 
rous motive  of  ensuring  to  it  a  more  extended  usefulness,  was 
induced  to  present  it  to  the  Religious  Tract  Society,  by  whom  it 
was  immediately  translated  into  the  French  and  Italian  langua- 
ges. The  writer  of  this  Memoir  well  remembers  a  circum- 
stance connected  with  this  celebrated  tract,  which  he  will  here 
mention.  He  was  taken  by  Mr.  Richmond,  in  the  year  1811, 
to  attend  a  committee  meeting  of  the  Tract  Society,  when  one 
of  the  members  rose  up,  and  observed,  that  as  he  came  with  the 

+  See  Chrislian  Guardian,  for  1809,  1810,  1811. 

•f  In  this  edition,  considerable  additions  were  made  in  "  the  Dairymarfs 
Daughter." 


REV.  LEGH  RICHMOND. 


165 


fill!  intention  of  submitting  to  them  the  motion  in  his  hand,  he 
hoped  he  should  not  violate  the  dehcacy  of  its  author,  by  propo- 
sing, that  the  tract  of"  the  Dairyman's  Daughter,"  the  merit  of 
which  had  been  so  generally  recognised,  should  be  translated 
into  the  German,  Swedish  and  Danish  languages.  Another 
member  then  rose  and  said,  that  he  trusted  he  should  be  ex- 
cused for  addmg  an  amendment  to  the  motion,  by  recommending 
that  the  above  tract  be  translated  into  all  the  European  langua- 
ges,  as  far  as  means  and  opportunities  might  occur  for  that 
purpose.  The  resolution  was  unanimously  carried  in  this 
amended  form.  The  tract  has  since  been  translated  into  most 
of  the  Continental  languages.  It  has  also  obtained  a  wide 
circulation  m  America :  the  Old  and  the  New  World  have 
alike  stamped  it  with  the  seal  of  popular  approbation.  At  home, 
several  editions  of  20,000  copies  each  were  printed  within  a 
very  short  period,  and  the  copies  which  have  been  circulated  in 
the  English  language  alone,  to  the  present  time,  are  estimated 
at  two  millions.  It  has  found  its  way  to  the  palaces  of  kings,* 
and  been  seen  in  the  hut  of  the  Indian,  j"  Its  author  was 
informed  of  thirty  instances  in  which  it  was  acknowledged  to 
have  been  instrumental  to  the  conversion  of  its  readers,  of  whom 
one  was  a  female  convict  at  Botany  Bay.  The  last  instance 
of  its  usefulness  was  communicated  to  him  only  w  ithin  twenty- 
four  hours  of  his  decease  ;  and  from  its  pecuHarity  deserves  to 
be  mentioned. 

xi  clergyman,  who  had  conceived  a  violent  antipathy  against 
the  Religious  Tract  Society  and  all  its  publications,  was  induced 
to  select  "  The  Dairyman's  Daughter,"  for  the  purpose  of  criti- 
cising and  exposing  its  defects.  In  the  perusal  of  it  he  was, 
however,  so  arrested  by  the  interest  of  the  story,  and  so  pene- 
trated by  the  power  of  the  religious  truths  which  it  contained, 
that  the  pen  of  criticism  dropped  from  his  hand,  prejudice  was 
charmed  into  admiration,  and  he  was  added,  as  another  trophy 
of  that  grace  which  had  shone  so  brightly  in  the  life  and  death 
of  the  dairyman's  daughter. 

After  what  we  have  stated,  we  may  justly  inquire,  to  what  are 
we  to  attribute  the  great  popularity  of  this  tract  ? 

No  doubt,  the  happy  union  of  interest  and  simplicity  in  the 
story,  the  graces  of  its  style,  and  the  beautiful  imagery  of  its 
descriptions,  have  rendered  it  attractive  to  every  reader ;  but 
the  stamp  of  truth  and  reality  which  marks  its  details,  and  the 

*  A  copy  was  presented  by  the  Rev.  Mr.  Paterson  to  the  late  Emperor  of 
Russia,  the  circumstances  of  which  we  shall  soon  mention, 
t  A  copy  was  seen  by  a  trayeller  in  the  hut  of  a  North  American  Indian. 

15 


166 


MEMOIRS  OF  THE 


expression  of  feelings  which  find  a  response  in  every  awakened 
mind,  constitute  its  principal  charm.  It  is  needless,  however, 
to  prove  the  excellence  of  a  tract,  of  which  four  millions  of  co- 
pies are  said  to  have  been  circulated  in  the  nineteen  languages 
into  which  it  has  been  translated  ;  or  to  adduce  testimonies  to 
their  usefulness,  which  have  been  already  printed  in  almost  every 
report  of  the  Tract  Society,  in  addition  to  numerous  instances 
privately  received  by  Mr.  Richmond,  and  which  are  frequently 
alluded  to  in  his  letters. 

A  few  extracts  from  the  "  Annals  of  the  Poor,"  will  illustrate 
the  spirit  and  style  of  the  author. 

We  be^in  with  his  reflections  as  he  contemplated  his  church 
©f  Yaverland,  by  which  he  was  accustomed  to  pass,  in  his  way 
to  the  Dairyman's  daughter. 

Here  the  rich  and  poor  meet  together  in  mutual  acknow- 
ledgment that  the  Lord  is  the  Maker  of  them  all ;  and  that  all 
are  alike  dependent  creatures,  lo  )king  up  to  one  common  Fa- 
ther to  supply  their  wants,  both  temporal  and  spiritual. 

*'  Again,  likewise,  will  they  meet  together  in  the  grave,  that 
undistinfjjuishing  receptacle  of  the  opulent  and  the  needy. 

"  And  once  more,  at  the  judgment  seat  of  Christ,  shall  the 
rich  and  p^  or  meet  together,  that  '  every  one  may  receive  the 
things  done  in  his  body  according  to  that  he  hath  done,  whether 
it  be  good  or  bad.' 

"  How  closely  connected  in  the  history  of  man  are  these  three 
periods  of  a  general  meeting  together  ! 

"  The  house  of  prayer — the  house  appointed  for  all  living — 
and  the  house  not  made  with  hands,  eternal  in  the  heavens. 
May  we  never  separate  these  ideas  from  each  other  ;  but  retain 
them  in  a  sacred  and  profitable  union  !  So  shall  our  worship- 
ping assemblies  on  earth  be  representative  of  the  general  assem- 
bly and  church  of  the  first-born,  which  are  written  in  heaven."* 

We  insert  another  reflection. 

"  Travellers,  as  they  pass  through  the  country,  usually  stop  to 
inquire  whose  are  the  splendid  mansions,  which  they  discover 
among  the  woods  and  plains  around  them.  The  families,  title, 
fortune,  or  character  of  the  respective  owners,  engage  much  at- 
tention. Perhaps  their  houses  are  exhibited  to  the  admiring 
stranger.  The  elegant  rooms, — costly  furniture, — valuable 
paintings, — beautiful  gardens  and  shrubberies, — are  universally 
approved  ;  while  the  rank,  fashion,  taste,  and  riches  of  the  pos^ 
sessor  afford  ample  materials  for  entertaining  discussion.  In 

*  Dairyman's  Daughter,  pp.  70,  71. 


R^  V.  LKCH  RICHMOND. 


167 


the  mean  time,  the  lowly  cottage  of  the  poor  husbandman  is 
passed  by,  as  scarcely  deserving  of  notice.  Yet  perchance 
such  a  cottage  may  often  contain  a  treasure  of  infinitely  more ' 
value  than  the  sumptuous  palace  of  the  rich  man, — even  •  the 
pearl  of  great  price.'  If  this  be  set  in  the  heart  of  the  poor  cot- 
tager, it  proves  a  gem  of  unspeakable  worth,  and  will  shme 
among  the  brightest  ornamenis  of  the  Redeemer's  crown,  in 
fhat  day  when  he  makes  np  his  '  jewels.' 

"  Hence  the  Christian  traveller,  while,  in  common  with  others, 
he  bestows  his  due  share  ol  applause  on  the  decorations  ol  the 
rich,  and  is  not  insensible  to  the  beauties  and  magnificence 
which  are  the  lawfully-allowed  ippendages  of  rank  and  fortune, 
cannot  overlook  the  hunjble  dwelling  of  the  p or.  And  if  he 
should  find  true  piety  and  grace  beneath  the  thatt  bed  roof,  which 
he  has  in  vain,  perhaps,  looked  ibr  amidst  the  worldly  grandeur 
of  the  rich,  he  remembers  the  declasations  in  the  v\ord  of  God. 
He  sees  with  admiration,  that  '  the  hiah  and  lofty  One  that  inha- 
bileth  eternity,  whose  name  is  Holy,  who  dwelleth  in  the  high 
and  holy  place,  dwelleth  with  him  also  that  is  of  a  contrite  and 
humble  spirit.'  {I.sa.  Ivii.  15.)  And  although  heaven  is  His 
throne,  and  the  earth  His  footstool,  vet  when  a  habitation  is  to 
be  sought,  and  a  place  of  rest  selected  for  himself.  He  says, 
*  To  this  man  vnll  I  look,  even  to  him  that  is  poor  and  of  a  con- 
trite spirit,  and  trembt  th  at  my  luord,' — Isa.  Ixvi.  1,  2. 

"  V\  hen  a  house  is  th'is  tenanted,  faith  beholds  this  inscrip- 
tion written  on  the  wa'ls — '  The  Lord  lives  here.''  "* 

The  death  of  the  Dairyman's  daughter  : — 

*'  I  sat  down  by  the  bed-side.  The  mother  could  not  weep, 
but  now  and  then  sighed  deeply,  as  she  alternately  looked  at 
Elizabeth  and  at  me.  The  bit;  tear  rolled  down  the  brother's 
I  cheek,  and  testified  an  affectionate  regard.  The  good  old  man 
stood  at  the  foot  of  the  bed,  leaning  upon  the  post,  and  unable 
to  take  his  eyes  off  the  child  from  whom  he  was  so  soon  to  part. 

"  Elizabeth's  eyes  were  closed,  and  as  yet  she  perceived  me 
not.    But  over  the  face,  though  pale,  sunk,  and  hollow,  the 
,    peace  of  God,  which  passeth  all  understanding,  had  cast  a  tri- 
'  umphant  calm. 

"  The  soldier,  after  a  short  pause,  silently  reached  out  his 
Bible  towards  me,  pointing  with  his  finger  at  1  Cor.  xv.  55,  56, 
58.  I  then  broke  silence  by  reading  the  passage,  '  O  Death, 
where  is  thy  sting  \  O  Grave,  where  is  thy  victory  ?  The  sting 
of  death  is  sin,  and  the  strength  of  sin  is  the  law.    But  thanks 


Dairyman's  Daughter,  pp.  97—99. 


168  MEMOIRS  OF  THE 

^  be  to  God  which  giveth  us  the  victory  through  our  Lord  Jesus 
Christ.' 

"  At  the  sound  of  these  words  her  eyes  opened,  and  some- 
thing Hke  a  ray  of  divine  Hght  beamed  on  her  countenance,  as 
she  said,  '  Victory,  victory  !  through  our  Lord  Jesus  Christ !' 

"  She  relapsed  again,  taking  no  farther  notice  of  any  one 
present. 

" '  God  be  praised  for  the  triumph  of  faith,'  said  L 
*'  *  Amen  !'  rephed  the  soldier. 
The  Dairyman's  uplifted  eye,  shewed  that  the  amen  was  in 
his  heart,  though  his  tongue  failed  to  utter  it." 
She  recovers  for  a  short  interval. 

"  At  length  I  said  to  Elizabeth — '  Do  you  experience  any 
doubts  or  temptations  on  the  subject  of  your  eternal  safety  V 

"  *  No,  Sir ;  the  Lord  deals  very  gently  with  me  and  gives  me 
peace.' 

*  What  are  your  views  of  the  dark  valley  of  death,  now 
that  you  are  passing  through  it  V 
"'It  is  not  daik.' 
"  *  Why  so  V 

"  '  My  Lord  is  there,  and  he  is  my  light  and  my  salvation  !* 
She  did  not  again  revive  while  I  remained  nor  ever  speak 
any  more  words  which  could  be  understood.    She  slumbered 
for  about  ten  hours,  and  at  last  sweetly  fell  asleep  in  the  arms 
of  that  Lord  who  had  dealt  so  gently  with  her. 

*'  I  left  the  house  an  hour  after  she  had  ceased  to  speak.  I 
pressed  her  hand,  as  I  was  taking  leave,  and  said,  *  Christ  is  the 
resurrection  and  the  life.'  She  gently  returned  the  pressure, 
but  could  neither  open  her  eyes,  nor  utter  a  reply. 

**  I  never  had  witnessed  a  scene  so  impressive  as  this  before. 
It  completely  filled  my  imagination  as  I  returned  hc^me. 

"  *  Farewell,'  thought  I,  *  dear  friend,  till  the  morning  of  an 
eternal  day  shall  renew  our  personal  intercourse.  Thou  wast  a 
brand  plucked  from  the  burning,  that  thou  mightest  become  a 
star,  shining  in  the  firmament  of  glory.  I  have  seen  thy  light 
and  thy  good  works,  and  will  therefore  glorify  our  Father  which 
is  in  heaven.  I  have  seen  in  thy  example,  what  it  is  to  be  a 
sinner  freely  saved  by  grace.  I  have  learned  from  thee,  as  in  a 
living  mirror,  ivho  it  is  that  begins,  continues,  and  ends  the  work 
of  faith  and  love.  Jesus  is  all  in  all :  he  will  and  shall  be  glo- 
rified. He  won  the  crown,  and  alone  deserves  to  wear  it.  May 
no  one  attempt  to  rob  him  of  his  glory  !  He  saves,  and  saves 
to  the  uttermost.    Farewell,  dear  sister  in  the  Lord !    Thy  flesh 


RKV.  LEGH  RICHMOND, 


169 


and  thy  heart  may  fail,  but  God  is  the  strength  of  thy  heart,  and 
shall  be  tny  portio'n  for  ever  !'  "* 

The  following  description  is  taken  from  the  "  Young  Cottager, 
©r  Little  Jane  and  pleasingly  illustrates  his  method  of  impart- 
ing instruction  to  children. 

"  On  the  summer  evenings,  I  frequently  used  to  assemble 
this  little  group  out  of  doors,  in  my  garden,  sitting  under  the 
shade  of  some  trees,  which  protected  us  from  the  heat  of  the 
sun.  From  hence  a  scene  appeared  which  rendered  my  occu- 
pation the  more  interesting.  For  adjoining  to  the  spot  where 
we  sat,  and  only  -separated  from  us  by  a  fence,  wa;*  the  church- 
yard, surrounded  with  beautiful  prospects  in  every  duection. 

I  had  not  tar  to  look  for  subjects  of  warning  and  exhortation, 
suitable  to  my  little  tlock  of  lambs  that  I  was  feeding.  I  could 
p;)uit  to  the  heaving  sods,  that  marke  l  the  different  graves  and 
separated  them  from  each  other,  and  tell  my  pupils,  that,  young 
as  they  were,  none  of  them  were  too  young  to  die  ;  and  that 
probably  more  than  half  of  the  bodies  that  were  burie.l  there, 
were  those  of  httle  children.  I  hence  took  occasion  to  speak 
of  the  nature  and  value  of  a  soul ;  and  to  ask  them,  where  they 
expected  their  souls  to  go,  when  they  departed  hence,  and  were 
no  more  seen  on  earth  1 

I  told  them  who  was  '  the  resurrection  and  the  life,'  and  who 
alone  could  take  away  the  sting  of  death.  I  used  to  remind 
them  that  the  hour  was  '  coming,  in  which  all  that  are  in  the 
graves  shall  hear  his  voice,  and  shall  come  forth  :  they  that  have 
done  good  unto  the  resurrection  of  life  ;  and  they  that  have 
done  evil,  unto  the  resurrection  of  damnation. 

"  Sometimes  I  sent  the  children  to  the  various  stones  which 
stood  at  the  head  of  the  graves,  and  bid  them  learn  the  epitaphs 
inscribed  upon  them.  I  took  pleasure  in  seeing  the  little  ones 
th  is  dispersed  in  the  church-y  ird,  each  co  u  aitting  to  memory 
a  few  verses,  written  in  commemoration  of  the  departed.  They 
would  soon  accomplish  the  desired  object,  and  eagerly  return  to 
me,  ambitious  to  repeat  their  tasks. 

"  Thus  my  church-yard  became  a  kind  of  book  of  instruc- 
tion, and  every  grave-stone  a  leaf  of  edification  for  my  young 
disciples. 

"  The  church  itself  stood  in  the  midst  of  the  ground,  li 
was  a  spacious,  antique  structure.  Within  those  very  walls,  I 
first  proclaimed  the  message  of  God  to  sinners.  As  these  chil- 
dren surrounded  me,  I  sometimes  pointed  to  the  church ;  spoj^e 

*  Dairyman's  Daughter,  p.  125,  and  following  pages. 
15* 


170 


MEMOIRS  OF  THE 


to  them  of  the  nature  of  public  worship, — the  value  of  the  sab- 
bath, the  duty  of  regular  attendance  on  its  services  :  and  ur^ed 
their  serious  attention  to  the  means  of  grace.  I  shewed  them 
the  sad  state  of  many  countries,  where  neither  churches  nor 
Bibles  were  known ;  and  the  no  less  melancholy  condition  of 
multitudes  at  home,  who  sinfully  neglect  worship,  and  slight  the 
word  of  God.  I  thus  tried  to  make  them  sensible  of  their  own 
favours  and  privileges." 

The  following  passage  contains  a  vivid  description  of  the 
scenery  with  which  he  was  surrounded. 

"  In  the  widely  sweeping  curve  of  a  beautiful  bay,  there  is  a 
kind  of  chasm  or  opening  in  one  of  the  lotlty  cliffs  that  bound  it. 
The  steep  descending  sides  are  covered  with  trees,  bushes,  wild 
flowers,  fern,  wormwood,  and  many  other  herbs  ;  here  and  there 
contrasted  with  bold  masses  of  rock,  or  brown  earth. 

"  In  the  highest  part  of  one  of  these  declivities,  two  or  three 
picturesque  cottages  are  fixed,  and  seem  half  suspended  in  the 
air. 

"  From  the  upper  extremity  of  this  great  fissure  or  opening  in 
the  cliff,  a  small  stream  of  water  enters  by  a  cascade,  flows 
through  the  bottom,  winding  in  a  varied  course  of  about  a  quar- 
ter of  a  mile  in  length  ;  and  then  runs  into  the  sea,  across  a 
smooth  expanse  of  firm  hard  sand,  at  the  lower  extremity  of  the 
chasm. 

*'  The  open  sea,  in  full  magnificence,  occupied  the  centre  of 
the  prospect;  bounded,  indeed,  in  one  small  part,  by  a  very  dis- 
tant shore,  on  the  rising  ascent  from  which  the  rays  of  the  sun 
rendered  visible  a  cathedral  church,*  with  its  towering  spire, 
at  near  thirty  miles  distant.  Every  where  else,  the  sea  beyond 
was  limited  only  by  the  sky. 

"  At  my  feet  the  little  rivulet,  gently  rippling  over  pebbles,  soon 
mingled  with  the  sand,  and  was  lost  in  the  waters  of  the  mighty 
ocean.  The  murmuring  of  the  waves,  as  the  tide  ebbed  or 
flowed  on  the  sand ;  their  dashing  against  some  distant  rocks, 
which  were  covered  fantastically  with  sea- weed  and  shells ;  sea- 
birds  floating  in  the  air  aloft,  or  occasionally  screaming  from 
their  holes  in  the  cliff's  ;  the  hum  of  human  voices  in  the  ships 
and  boats,  borne  along  the  water  ;  all  these  sounds  served  to 
promote,  rather  than  interrupt  meditation.  They  were  soothing- 
ly blended  together,  and  entered  the  ear  in  a  kind  of  natural 
harmony^ 


*  Chichester  CathedraL 


REV.  LEGH  RICHMOND. 


171 


"  In  the  quiet  enjoyment  of  a  scene  like  this,  the  lover  of 
nature's  beauties  will  easily  find  scope  for  spiritual  illustration."* 

The  following  are  his  reflections  upon  this  scene: — 

"  The  waves  of  the  sea  ebb  and  flow  in  exact  obedience  to  the 
laws  of  their  Creator  : — thus  far  they  come,  and  no  farther  ; — 
they  retire  again  to  their  accustomed  bounds  ;  and  so  maintain 
a  regulated  succession  of  effects. 

"  But,  alas  !  the  waves  of  passion  and  affection  in  the  human 
breast,  manifest  more  of  the  wild  confusion  of  a  storm,  than  the 
orderly  regularity  of  a  tide — grace  can  alone  suddue  them. 

"  What  peaceful  harmony  subsists  throughout  all  this  lovely 
landscape  !  These  majestic  cliffs,  8ome  clothed  with  trees  and 
shrubs  ,  others  bare  and  unadorned  with  herbage,  yet  variegated 
with  many-coloured  earths  ;  these  are  nt;t  only  sublime  and 
delightful  to  behold,  but  they  are  answering  the  end  of  their 
creation,  and  serve  as  a  barrier  to  stop  the  progress  of  the 
waves. 

"  But  how  little  peace  and  harmony  can  I  comparatively  see 
in  my  own  heart !  The  landscape  withiv  is  marred  by  drear}' 
barren  wilds,  and  wants  that  engaging  character  which  the  va- 
rious parts  of  this  prospect  before  me  so  happily  preserve.  Sin, 
sin  is  the  bane  of  mortality,  and  heaps  confusion  upon  confusion 
wherever  it  prevails. 

"Yet,  saith  the  voice  of  promise,  '  Sin  shall  not  have  domi- 
nion over  you.'  0  !  then  may  I  yield  myself  unto  God,  as  one 
that  am  ahve  from  the  dead,  and  my  members  as  instruments  of 
righteousness  unto  God.  And  thus  may  I  become  an  able  and 
willing  minister  of  the  New  Testament ! 

*'  I  wish  I  were  like  this  little  stream  of  water  :  it  takes  its  first 
rise  scarcely  a  mile  off ;  yet  it  has  done  good  even  in  that  short 
course.  It  has  passed  by  several  cottages  it  its  way,  and 
afforded  life  and  health  to  the  inhabitants  ;  it  has  watered  their 
little  gardens  as  it  flows,  and  enriched  the  meadows  near  its 
banks.  It  has  satisfied  the  thirst  of  the  flocks  that  are  feeding 
aloft  on  the  hills,  and,  perhaps,  refreshed  the  shepherd's  boy 
Vfho  sits  watching  his  master's  -heep  hard  by.  It  then  quietly 
finishes  its  current  in  this  secluded  dell,  and  agreeable  to  the 
design  of  its  Creator,  quickly  vanishes  in  the  ocean. 

"  May  my  course  be  like  unto  thine,  thou  little  rivulet ! 
Though  short  be  my  span  of  life,  yet  may  I  be  useful  to  my 
fellow  sinners,  as  I  travel  onwards.  Let  me  be  a  dispenser  of 
spiritual  support  and  health  to  many  !    Like  this  stream,  may  I 


*  "Annals  of  the  Poor— the  Young  Cottager,"  p.  57—60. 


172 


MEMOIRS  OF  THE 


prove  the  poor  man's  friend  by  the  way,  and  water  the  souls  that 
thirst  for  the  river  of  hfe,  wherever  1  meet  them !  And  if  it 
please  thee,  0  my  God  !  let  me  in  my  latter  end  be  like  this 
brook.  It  calmly,  though  not  quite  silently,  flows  through  this 
scene  of  peace  and  loveliness,  just  before  it  enters  the  sea.  Let 
me  thus  gently  close  my  days  likewise  ;  and  may  I  not  unuse- 
fully  tell  to  others  of  the  goodness  and  mercy  of  my  Saviour, 
till  I  arrive  at  the  vast  ocean  of  eternity."* 

These  descriptions  exhibit  Mr.  Richmond's  delicate  and  vivid 
perception  of  the  beauties  of  nature,  and  the  profitable  use  he 
made  of  them.  The  concluding  passage  involuntarily  leads  the 
mind  to  the  closing  scene  of  his  own  life.  For  his  race  is  now 
run  ;  the  little  rivulet  has  ceased  to  flf)w,  and  is  absorbed  in  the 
vast  ocean  of  eternity  ;  while  the  pious  wish  expressed  in  the 
image  has  been  realized.  The  rivulet  has  left  the  traces  of  its 
fertility,  and  evidenced  the  beneficence  of  its  course;  and  we  may 
apply  to  him  the  words  with  which  he  takes  his  leave  of  his  en- 
deared Dairyman's  Daughter,  "  thy  flesh  and  thy  heart  faileth, 
but  God  is  the  strength  of  thy  heart,  and  thy  portion  for  ever." 

We  subjoin  one  more  extract,  from  "  the  Negro  Servant." 
I  dismounted  from  my  horse,  and  tied  it  to  a  bush.  The 
breaking  of  the  waves  against  the  foot  of  the  cliff  at  so  great 
a  distance  beneath  me,  produced  an  incessant  and  pleasing 
murmur.  The  sea-gulls  were  flying  between  the  top  of  the 
cliff  where  I  stood,  and  the  rocks  below,  attending  upon  their 
nests,  built-in  the  holes  of  the  cliff,  t  he  whole  scene,  in  every 
direction,  was  grand  and  impressive  ;  it  was  suitable  to  devo- 
tion. The  Creator  appeared  in  the  works  of  his  creation,  and 
called  upon  the  creature  to  honour  and  adore.  To  the  believer 
this  exercise  is  doubly  delightful.  He  possesses  a  right  to  the 
enjoyments  of  nature  and  providence,  as  well  as  to  the  privi- 
leges of  grace.  His  title-deed  runs  thus  :  '  all  things  are 
yours,  whether  Paul,  or  ApoUos,  or  Cephas,  or  the  world,  or  life 
or  death,  or  things  present,  or  things  to  come,  all  are  yours,  and 
ye  are  Christ's,  and  Christ  is  God's.' 

"  I  cast  my  eye  downwards,  a  little  to  the  left,  towards  a 
small  cave,  the  shore  of  which  consists  o»  fine  hard  sand.  It 
is  s  irrounded  by  fragments  of  rock,  chalk  cliffs,  and  steep 
banks  of  broken  earth.  Shut  out  from  human  intercourse  and 
dwellings,  it  seems  formed  for  retirement  and  contemplation. 
On  one  of  these  rocks  I  unexpectedly  observed  a  man  sitting 


♦  "  Annals  of  the  Poor— The  Young  Cottager,"  p.  63—65. 


RF.V   LEGH  RICHMOND.  17S 


with  a  book,  which  he  was  reading.  The  place  was  near  two 
hundred  yards  perpendicular  below  me  ;  but  I  soon  discovered 
hv  his  dress,  and  by  the  black  colour  of  his  feature^,  contrasted 
with  the  white  rocks  beside  him.  that  it  was  no  other  than  my 
negro  disciple,  with,  as  T  doubted  not,  a  Bible  in  his  hand.  I 
rejoiced  for  this  unlooked  for  opportunity  of  meeting  him  in  so 
solitary  and  interesting  a  situation.  He  was  intent  on  his  book, 
and  did  not  perceive  me  till  I  approached  very  near  to  him. 
*  WiUiam,  is  that  y^u  ?'  '  Ah,  massa !  me  very  glad  to  see 
you.  How  came  massa  into  dis  place  ?  me  tought  nobody 
here,  but  only  God  and  me.'  " 

After  a  long  and  interesting  conversation  with  the  negro,  Mr. 
Richmond  thus  concludes  : — 

"  '  My  friend,'  said  I,  'I  will  now  pray  with  you  for  your 
own  soul,  and  for  those  of  your  parents  also.'  This  was  a  new 
and  solemn  house  of  prayer.  The  sea-sand  was  our  floor ;  the 
heavens  were  our  roof ;  the  cliffs,  the  rocks,  the  hills  and  the 
waves,  formed  the  walls  of  our  chamber.  It  was  not,  indeed, 
a  place  where  prayer  was  wont  to  be  made,  but  for  this  once  it 
became  a  hallowed  spot.  It  will  by  me  evs  r  be  remembered  as 
such.  The  presence  of  God  was  there.  I  prayed — the  negro 
wept — his  heart  was  full — I  felt  for  him,  and  could  not  but 
weep  likewise.  The  last  day  will  shew  whether  our  tears  were 
not  the  tears  of  sincerity  and  love.  It  was  time  for  my  return. 
I  leaned  upon  his  arm  as  \e  ascended  the  steep  cliff  in  my  way 
back  to  my  horse,  which  I  had  left  at  the  top  of  the  hill.  Hu- 
mility and  thankfulness  were  marked  in  his  countenance  ;  I 
leaned  on  his  arm  with  the  feelings  of  a  brother.  It  was  a  rela- 
tionship I  was  happy  to  own.  I  took  him  by  the  hand  at  part- 
ing— appointed  one  more  interview  previous  to  the  day  of  bap- 
tizing him,  and  bid  him  farewell  for  the  present.  '  God  bless 
you,  my  dear  massa  ;'  '  and  you,  my  dear  Christian  brother,  for 
3ver  and  ever.'  "* 

Some  of  Mr.  Richmond's  reflections,  in  the  passages  before 
is.  will  remind  the  reader  of  those  beautiful  hues  of  C«'wper, 
n  Ahich  he  -enumerates  the  enjoyment  of  natural  scenery  as 
among  the  covenanted  privileges  of  the  believer. 

*'  He  looks  abroad  into  the  varied  field 

Of  nature  j  and  though  poor,  perhaps,  compared 

With  those  whose  mansions  glitter  in  his  sight, 

Calls  the  delightful  scenery  all  his  own. 

His  are  the  mountains,  and  the  valleys  his, 

♦  See  "  Annals  of  the  Poor— Negro  Servant,"  p.  36. 


174 


MEMOIRS  OP  THE 


And  the  resplendent  rivers  ;  his  to  enjoy 

With  a  propriety  that  none  can  ieel, 

But  who  i\ith  lihal  coiiridence  inspired, 

Can  lift  to  heaven  an  linpresninptuou-  eye, 

And  smihng  say,  '  my  Father  made  them  all !'  "* 

A  suspicion  has  been  expressed  by  some,  as  to  the  entire 
genuineness  of  the  tra^  t  of  the  Dairyman's  Daughter,  arising 
from  an  idea  that  the  language  and  sentiments  of  her  letters 
were  far  beyond  the  capacity  of  persons  in  that  situation  of  life. 
The  writer  of  this  memoir  once  (entertained  the  same  doubt  ; 
and  as  it  tended  greatly  to  dinjini-h  the  interest  and  profit  v^hich 
he  would  otherwise  have  tbimd  in  the  perusal  of  the  tract,  he, 
some  years  ago,  ventured  to  express  his  feehngs  to  Mr.  Rich- 
mond, who,  in  consequence,  produced  some  of  her  letters, 
which  were  carefully,  examined ;  and  the  result  was,  that  no  al- 
teration was  found  to  have  been  made,  except  the  correction  of 
the  spelling,  and  the  occasional  change  of  a  single  word,  for 
one  which  better  expressed  her  meaning. 

In  further  confirmation  of  the  genuine  character  of  these  in- 
teresting narratives,  we  lay  before  the  reader  a  letter  addressed 
to  the  Rev.  Mr.  Fry.  by  a  highly  respectable  gentleman,  who 
was  connected  for  many  years  with  Mr.  Richmond  as  a  friend 
and  parishioner. 

"  TurveyMbey,  February  21,  1828. 

"  My  dear  Sir, — The  conversation  we  had  together  the  other 
day,  respecting  the  interesting  trart  called  '  The  Dairyman's 
Daughter,'  induced  me  to  request  a  sight  of  the  original  letters. 

"  I  own  that  I  could  not  dismiss  from  my  mind,  when  I  for- 
merly read  the  tract,  hat  our  friend  had  improved  the  young 
woman's  letters  according  to  his  own  amiable  and  pious  feel- 
ings ;  and  it  was  not  without  pleasure  and  surprise  I  found,  on 
the  perusal  of  thf  originals,  that  they  were  in  every  respect  as 
he  had  given  theiu  ;  with  the  exception  of  the  bad  spelling,  and 
the  unnecessary  use  oi  capital  letters,  which  he  had  corrected, 
and  a  word  which  wa  ^  here  and  there  added  or  omitted,  to  make 
the  young  woman's  meaning  more  piain  and  intelligible,  'i'his 
latter  alteration,  however,  was  ol  rare  occurrence,  and  such  as 
was  not  only  allowable,  but  necessary. 

"  1  think  it  would  be  advisable  to  advert  to  this  circumstance 
in  Mr.  Richmond's  Memoir,  as  it  is  possible  that  others  may 


*  Cowper's  Task,  b.  5. 


REV.  LEGH  RICHMOND. 


175 


labour  under  the  same  mistake  with  mjself. — I  am,  my  dear  Sir, 
your's  very  sincerely, 

"  John  Higgins." 

As  to  the  facts  of  the  story,  the  writer  is  able  to  offer  a  very 
satisfactory  proof  of  their  correctness.  J'he  Rev.  Mr.  Hughes, 
one  of  the  estimable  secretaries  of  the  llritish  and  Foreign 
Bible  Society,  in  company  with  another  triend,  visited  the  spot 
where  this  interesting  young  woman  formerly  resided,  and  inter- 
rogated the  brother  (who  had  read  the  tract,)  whether  the  cir- 
cu  :stances  of  the  story  were  precisely  the  same  as  they  are 
there  related?  To  this  he  replied,  there  was  only  one  fact  that 
was  misrepresented.  Bern:;  asked,  .vith  some  dei>;ree  of  anxiety, 
what  that  fact  was,  he  observed,  that  Mr.  rliciimond  had  descri- 
bed a  viae  trained  near  the  side  of  the  window^  whereas  it  was 
not  a  vine,  but  an  apple-tree.  If  historic  truth  had  never  been 
more  seriously  violated  than  in  this  mstance,  the  credibility  of 
facts  would  seldom  hdve  been  laipeacheJ.  Seven  cities  would 
not  have  contended  for  the  honour  of  flomer's  birth.  The 
Trojan  war  would  not  have  been  the  subject  of  a  grave  literary 
discussion  ;  nor  would  he  supposed  antiquity  of  the  Chinese 
empire  have  furnished  the  intidel  wits  of  France  with  an  occasion 
to  question  the  authority  of  the  31osaic  statement. 

We  have  thought  it  important  to  adduce  these  testimonies  to 
the  character  of  Mr.  Richmond's  tracts,  being  aware  of  a  dis- 
position in  the  minds  of  some  to  identify  them  with  a  class  of 
publications  which  profess  to  convey  religious  truth  under  the 
g  trb  of  fiction.  We  ao  not  mean  to  discuss  the  propriety  of 
such  a  vehicle  of  instruction ;  but  we  wish  to  distinguish  these 
publications  from  the  writings  of  our  friend,  who  sought  his  ma- 
terials, not  in  the  regions  of  fancy,  but  in  the  less  questionable 
sources  of  fact  and  reality.  We  consider  Mr.  Richmond  to 
have  been  excelled  by  no  writer  in  this  species  of  composition. 
To  a  style  simple,  elegant,  and  full  of  pathos,  he  united  a  spirit 
of  Christian  love,  which  transfused  its  sweetness  into,  every 
thought  and  expression  ;  and  his  imagination,  rich  and  powerful, 
being  purified  by  "  a  live  coal  from  the  ahar,"  was  consecrated 
m  all  its  varied  exercises,  to  the  glory  of  God  and  the  true  inte- 
rests of  man.  While,  if  his  fancy  sparkled  with  the  beautiful 
tints  of  the  rambow,  it  was  only  to  fix  the  gaze  of  the  admirer 
en  the  heavenly  world. 

We  cannot  conclude  these  remarks  without  adverting  to  two 
editions  of  the  *'  Dairyman's  Daughter,"  published  in  America: 


176  MEMOIRS  OF  THE 


the  one  by  the  Philadelphia  Sunday  and  Adult  School  Union, 
and  the  other  by  the  New  England  rract  Society,  at  Boston. 

On  comparing  these  editions  with  the  English  copies  of  the 
same  work,  we  were  surprised  to  find  numerous  instances  of 
omission  or  alteration.    The  American  editions  differ  from  each 
other,  as  well  as  from  the  Enghsh  tract.    Surely  an  author  and 
the  public  have  a  right  to  expect  from  an  editor  a  faithful  adhe- 
rence to  the  original ;  or  at  least  that  he  should  apprise  the 
reader  of  alterations,  and  assign  a  reason  for  making  them.  But 
in  the  instance  before  us,  the  foreign  tracts,  though  they  bear 
the  name  of  Mr.  Richmond,  are  far  from  being  his  own  work. 
The  first  letter  of  the  Dairyman's  Daughter,  which  contains  her 
religious  principles,  is  wholly  omitted ;  the  interesting  fact  rela- 
ting to  the  burial  service  is  suppressed  ;  no  less  than  nineteen 
pages  of  the  narrative  are  removed  ;  and  in  short,  there  are  so 
many  omissions,  transpositions,  and  alterations,  that  the  reader 
would  with  diffi'^'ulty  recognise  the  real  features  of  the  character 
of  the  pious  daughter  of  the  Dairyman.    We  cannot  but  com- 
plain of  this  gross  mutilation  of  our  friend's  interesting  memoir, 
as  an  imposition  on  the  reader,  and  an  injustice  to  the  author's 
reputation. 

Without  intending  to  impugn  the  integrity  of  our  American 
brethren,  or  to  assign  motives  for  their  conduct,  we  must  ex- 
press our  regret ;  considering,  as  we  do,  such  interpolations  and 
false  presentments  to  be  both  injurious  to  the  memory  of  an  au- 
thor, a  misrepresentation  of  his  principles,  and  an  interference  with 
his  design,  by  no  means  consistent  with  fair  and  honourable  feel- 
ing ;  and  we  cannot  but  hope  that  the  evil  complained  of  will  be 
corrected  in  subsequent  editions.  The  justness  of  these  re- 
marks must  plead  our  excuse  (if  any  be  needful,)  for  their  intro- 
duction into  this  place.* 

"  A  very  useful  method,"  says  Archbishop  Seeker,  "  of 
spreading  the  knowledge  of  religion,  is  by  distributing,  or  pro- 
curing to  be  distributed,  such  pious  books,  especially  to  the 
poorer  sort,  as  are  best  suited  to  their  capacities  and  circum- 
stances. Much  good  may  be  done  in  this  way,  to  considerable 
numbers  at  once,  in  a  more  acceptable  manner,  for  a  trifling 
expense." 

With  similar  views  and  sentiments  to  those  expressed  by  the 
venerable  Archbishop,  a  number  of  pioas  persons,  more  than 
twenty  years  ago,  formed  an  association,  which  they  called 

*  Since  writing  the  above,  we  have  seen  an  American  edition,  published  at 
Philadelphia,  in  the  year  1827,  which,  we  are  happy  to  say,  is  in  every  respect 
conformable  to  the  original. 


REV.  LEGH  niCHMOND. 


177 


**  The  Religious  Tract  Society."  Publications  like  those  of 
Mr.  Richmond,  could  not  fail  to  attract  the  notice  of  such  an 
institution  :  and  his  well-known  liberahty,  together  with  the  high 
estimation  in  which  his  character  was  held,  induced  the  commit- 
tee of  that  society"  to  make  proposals  to  him,  of  becoming  one  of 
their  secretaries.  At  that  time  the  institution  had  no  church- 
representative,  though  the  committee  was  composed  of  persons 
of  all  denominations.  The  secretaries  were  the  Rev.  Joseph 
Hughes,  and  the  Rev.  Dr  Steinkopff,  well  knovvn  from  their 
connexion  with  the  British  and  Foreign  Bible  Society.  By  the 
accession  of  Mr.  Richmond,  it  was  justly  expected  that  the  so- 
ciety would  derive  increased  wisdom  in  its  counsels,  and  vigour 
and  unity  in  its  operations.  The  editor  well  remembers  the 
circumstances  of  this  appUcation,  and  the  reasons  which  induced 
Mr.  Richmond  to  accept  the  office  of  joint  secretary.  It  was 
a  proposition  which  required  serious  deliberation.  On  the  one 
hand,  Mr.  Richmond  considered  that  a  strong  prejudice  was  ^ 
known  to  exist  against  the  society,  not  only  amongst  the  ene- 
mies of  true  piety,  but  also  among  some  of  its  friends.  It  was 
supposed  to  consist  almost  exclusively  of  Dissenters,  and  its 
tracts  were  regarded  with  jealousy  and  suspicion.  To  accept 
this  offer,  he  feared,  might  identify  him  with  dissent  (though  he 
was  ever  warmly  attached  to  the  doctrines  and  discipline  of  his 
own  church,)  and  might  endanger  his  usefulness  in  the  legitimate 
field  of  his  labours.  On  the  other  hand,  he  recognised  in  the 
institution  many  claims  to  his  regard.  Its  object  was  the  same 
which  lay  near  to  his  own  heart, — the  circulation  of  tracts,  and 
the  revival  of  the  doctrines  of  the  Reformation.  He  saw  in  the 
connexion,  an  opportunity  of  extending  his  usefulness  ;  and  cer- 
tain pledges  and  securities  seemed  alone  to  be  wanting,  to  allow 
of  the  co-operation  of  a  conscientious  churchman.  He  thought 
that  under  the  sanction  ef  a  sufficient  guarantee  against  the  in- 
troduction of  peculiarities,  there  was  no  just  reason  for  his  refu- 
sal of  the  office  proposed  to  him  ;  and  that  by  his  acceptance 
of  the  secretaryship,  he  might  even  promote  the  interests  of  his 
own  church,  by  preventing  the  circulation  of  tracts  hostile  to  her 
opinions,  as  well  as  advance  the  common  cause  of  true  religion. 
The  required  guarantee  was  given  :  Mr.  Richmond  yielded  to 
the  wishes  of  the  Tract  Society ;  and  from  that  period  to  the 
day  of  his  death,  he  had  no  reason  to  complain  that  the  engage- 
ment was  violated  in  a  single  instance. 

Mr.  Richmond's  decision  may  give  occasion  to  a  difference 
of  opinion.  By  some  he  may  be  censured, — by  most  persons 
his  conduct  will  be  approved  and  admired.   Those  who  consider 

16 


178 


MEMOIRS  OP  THE 


a  union  with,  Dissenters,  under  any  circumstances,  as  a  virtual 
surrender  of  principle,  and  a  violation  of  ecclesiastical  disci- 
pline, will  condemn  his  connexion  with  the  Tract  Society  ;  but ! 
we  have  never  besn  convinced  that  a  union  on  common  ground  ' 
with  any  part  of  the  family  of  Christ,  is  an  act  of  treason  against 
our  own  church.  The  union  requires  not  a  surrender  of  princi- 
ple, but  of  prejudice ;  it  re<]uires  no  compromise  of  forms,  but 
it  does  require  a  jast  estimation  of  the  essential  truths  of  salva- 
tion. We  confess  it  has  ever  appeared  to  us  a  strange  incon- 
sistency, that  the  most  zealous  opponents  to  the  union  of  true 
Christians,  upon  common  principles,  should  themselves  have 
united  with  Lutherans,  and  employed  them  as  their  agents  to 
plant  churches,  and  disseminate  religious  knowledge,  and  that 
for  a  long  period  of  time  ;  though,  in  discipline  wholly,  and 
partly  in  doctrine,  those  agents  differ  from  their  own  establish- 
ment. The  allusion  will  be  readily  understood.  We  do  not 
mean  to  recriminate  in  the  spirit  of  hostility  ;  but  we  must  be 
allowed  to  protest  against  the  unfairness  of  denouncing  their 
brethren  of  the  Church  of  England,  for  uniting  with  Dissenters 
in  the  propagation  of  our  common  Christianity,  where  both  dis- 
cipline and  pecuharities  of  creed  are  excluded,  by  mutual  con- 
sent, and  coUision  is  consequently  avoided. 

From  this  vindication  of  our  friend,  we  turn  to  the  important 
results  of  the  Tract  Society.  Every  part  of  the  globe  has  been 
the  scene  of  its  operations  ;  and  from  every  country  the  most 
pleasing  testimonies  of  approbation  and  usefulness  have  been 
received.  Bishops  and  archbishops,  emperors  and  kings, 
ministers  of  the  Reformed,  and  even  of  the  Roman  Catholic 
Church,  have  been  loud  in  its  praises.  We  regret  that  the  Hmits 
of  this  Memoir  will  not  allow  us  to  insert  numerous  interesting 
proofs  of  the  Divine  favour,  attendant  on  the  publications  of 
the  Society.  We  must  refer  the  reader  to  the  summary  of  pro- 
ceedings for  the  last  twenty  years,  published  in  one  volume,  by 
the  Tract  Society,  and  which  contains  a  most  satisfactory  vin- 
dication of  the  character  of  the  tracts,  and  of  the  design  of  the 
institution. 

We  have  purposely  omitted  numerous  testimonies  to  the  use- 
fulness of  Mr.  Richmond's  tracts,  received  from  almost  every 
part  of  Great  Britain,  as  well  as  from  many  foreign  countries 
(so  numerous,  indeed,  that  they  would  fill  several  chapters,)  lest 
we  should  seem  to  depart  from  that  Christian  modesty  so  con- 
spicuous in  the  character  of  their  author.    W  e  hope  the  candid 


REV.  LEGH  RICHMOND. 


179 


reader  will  pardon  what  the  warmth  of  our  affection  has  dicta- 
ted ;  and  the  more  readily,  when  he  remembers  that  all  that  we 
have  said  of  the  man  magnifies  the  grace  of  God  which  was  in 
him,  and  wrought  effectually  by  him. 


CHAPTER  XI. 

His  appointment  as  chaplain  to  the  Duke  of  Kent — Mrs.  Rich- 
moncVs  illness — J\'*ew  school-room — Report  of  his  son^s  death — 
Embarrassment,  arising  from  his  publicaiion  of  "  the  Fathers 
of  the  English  Church^'^Lifervien'  with  the  Emperor  of  Rus- 
sia— Letters  to  and  from  his  Imperial  ATajesty — Princess 
J\Ietstchershij — Letters  to  Airs.  Livius — Verses  ^L'rittenon  the 
marriage  of  a  friend's  daughter. 

Amoxg  the  distinguished  characters  who  gave  the  sanction  of 
their  rank  and  influence  to  the  pubHc  institutions  of  this  coun- 
try, his  late  Royal  Highness  the  Duke  of  Kent  is  pre-eminently 
entitled  to  our  grateful  remembrance.  Every  religious  and  be- 
nevolent undertaking  found  in  him  a  powerfnl  friend  and  patron. 
He  was  the  avowed  advocate  of  the  British  and  Foreign  Bible 
Society.  He  was  the  patron  also  of  the  Society  for  promoting 
Christianity  among  the  Jews.  He  usually  attended,  and  took 
the  chair,  at  the  anniversaries  of  the  numerou:^  public  charities 
which  confer  so  much  honour  on  the  city  of  London  ;  on  which 
occasions  Mr.  Richmond  often  met  his  Royal  Highness,  and  by 
the  intervention  of  a  common  friend,  became  one  of  his  chap- 
lains. 

In  the  discharge  of  his  functions,  Mr.  Richmond  was  some- 
times required  to  officiate  at  Kensington  palace.  On  one  of 
these  occasions,  the  Duke  and  Duchess  and  their  retinue  were 
present.  His  Royal  Highness  heard  Mr.  Richmond's  sermon 
with  profound  attention  ;  and  when  the  service  was  concluded, 
he  was  pleased  to  express  his  approbation  of  the  impressive, 
scriptural,  and  faithful  truths  which  he  had  heard  ;  adding,  that 
he  fully  concurred  in  their  importance,  and  wished  to  feel  their 
influence.  At  the  same  time  he  inquired  bow  he  had  attained  so 
-•emarkable  a  fluency  in  the  expression  of  his  ideas  ;  and  asked 
whether  his  discourse  had  been  committed  to  memory.  Mr. 
Richmond  replied  in  the  negative  ;  and  said  that  he  usually  com- 
nitted  to  paper  a  few  leading  heads  of  his  subject,  but  he  mo- 
iestly  ascribed  his  ready  utterance  to  the  effect  of  habit.  His 
ftoyal  Highness  expressed  a  hope  that  he  would  preach  at  the 


180  MEMOIRS  OP  THE 

palace  whenever  he  came  to  town  ;  and  added,  "  you  must  con- 
verse, Sir,  with  the  Duchess  on  these  subjects,  for  she  under- 
stands them  far  better  than  I  do." 

On  the  evening  of  that  day,  Mr.  Richmond  received  a  poUte 
request  from  the  Duke  of  Kent,  that  he  would  favour  him  with 
the  perusal  of  the  notes  from  which  he  had  preached  in  the 
morning.  A  discussion  had  taken  place  at  the  palace,  on  the 
subject  of  Mr.  Richmond's  extempore  preaching ;  and  it  had 
been  said,  that  no  man  could  preach  so  accurately,  as  well  as 
fluently,  without  a  large  portion  of  his  sermon  being  duly  trans- 
cribed. 

The  notes,  on  inspection,  were  found  to  occupy  a  very  small 
space  ;  and  we  mention  this  little  anecdote  as  another  proof 
of  that  talent  in  extempore  preaching  for  which  he  was  so  re- 
markable. 

Mr.  Richmond  continued  to  be  honoured  with  the  uniform 
marks  of  His  Royal  Highness'  esteem  and  regard.  And  when 
that  solemn  event  occurred,  which  was  mourned  by  the  nation 
at  large,  and  by  the  friends  of  rehgion  and  humanity  in  particu- 
lar, Mr.  Richmond  was  one  of  those  who  followed  his  royal 
patron  to  the  grave.  There,  as  well  as  in  various  parts  of  the 
kingdom,  where  his  pubHc  exertions  called  him,  he  heard  many 
a  testimony  to  the  virtues,  the  zeal,  and  benevolence  of  this  be- 
loved and  venerated  prince.  Charity  in  him  lost  its  patron ; 
the  cause  of  God  its  firm  and  unshaken  supporter ;  and  illustri- 
ous rank  its  ornament  and  example.  Testimonies  like  these 
are  instructive  to  the  living,  while  they  are  honourable  to  the 
dead.  They  prove  that  in  this  country,  whenever  exalted  sta- 
tion is  adorned  with  corresponding  virtues,  and  consecrated  to 
high  and  noble  ends,  it  never  fails  to  obtain  the  best  of  all  kinds 
of  homage — the  homage  of  the  heart. 

About  this  time,  Mr,  Richmond  was  visited  with  a  domestic 
event  which  threatened  the  most  distressing  consequences.  Mrs. 
Richmond,  after  having  given  birth  to  another  child,  and  being 
apparently  recovered  from  the  effects  of  her  confinement,  was 
attacked  by  a  dangerous  illness,  occasioned,  as  was  supposed, 
by  an  imprudent  exposure  to  the  air.  The  symptoms  became 
very  alarming,  a  high  fever  followed,  and  after  the  utmost  exer- 
tion of  medical  skill,  and  the  most  unremitting  attention,  her 
recovery  was  declared  to  be  hopeless. 

The  suddenness  of  this  shock  to  the  feelings  of  Mr.  Rich- 
mond, who  had  long  known  her  value,  both  as  a  wife  and  a  mo- 
ther, and  the  tender  age  of  most  of  his  children,  gave  to  this 
dispensation  the  poignancy  of  the  severest  trial.    Never  caa 


REV.  LEGH  RICHMOND.  181 

the  writer  forget  the  impressions  made  on  his  own  mind  at  that 
period.  In  the  expectation  of  her  immediate  dissolution,  she 
had  taken  leave  of  all  the  members  of  her  family.  A  very  few 
of  their  more  intimate  friends  were  permitted  to  see  her  on  this 
occasion,  and  he  was  included  in  the  number.  On  entering  the 
room  with  another  endeared  friend,  to  pay  this  mournful  visit, 
he  was  surprised  to  see  an  expression  of  joyful  feehng  on  the 
countenance  of  the  wife,  and  a  calm  and  delightful  serenity  de- 
picted on  that  of  the  husband.  He  could  not  help  exclaiming — 
Is  this  the  chamber  of  death  ?  Death  was  so  stripped  of  its  ter- 
rors, and  religion  so  sunounded  with  all  its  consolations,  that 
the  place  looked  more  like  the  portals  of  heaven,  than  the 
gloomy  vestibule  of  the  tomb.  The  triumph  of  faith  in  the  dy- 
ing wife  seemed  to  support  the  otherwise  afflicted  husband,  and 
to  impart  to  him  a  corresponding  elevation  of  feeUng.  He  for- 
got for  the  moment  his  own  sorrows  in  her  joys  ;  his  own  loss  in 
her  gain  ;  and  did  not  wish  to  arrest  her  expected  flight  to  the 
world  of  happy  spirits,  or  indulge  his  grief,  while  she  was  re- 
joicing in  the  mercies  of  redeeming  love. 

If  this  conduct  of  Mr.  Richmond  should  excite  surprise  in 
any  of  our  readers,  let  it  be  remembered  that  he  was  in  the  ha- 
bit of  estimating  every  thing  by  its  reference  to  eternity  ;  and 
that  tenderly  as  he  was  attached  to  his  wife,  and  sensible  of  the 
importance  of  her  life  to  himself  and  to  his  children,  still  the 
consciousness  of  her  assured  happiness  was  evidently  the  ab- 
sorbed feeling  of  his  mind  at  that  time.  God  also  gives  extra- 
ordinary support  under  extraordinary  trials.  "  A  martyr's  grace 
in  a  martyr's  sufferings." 

"  There  is  a  time  for  all  things."  Nature  and  grace  have 
their  feelings,  and  there  is  a  season  for  the  lawful  expression  of  • 
both.  The  removal  of  the  wife  would  doubtless  have  filled  with 
the  greatest  sorrow  that  heart  which  now  exulted  in  her  triumph- 
ant prospects.  The  husband  would  weep,  while  the  Christian 
rejoiced  "  with  joy  unspeakable  and  full  of  glory." 

It  will  be  well  while  we  contemplate  the  triumph  of  faith  and 
hope  in  others,  that  we  should  inquire  what  would  be  our  own  ' 
feelings  in  the  hour  of  death,  and  under  the  pressure  of  afflic- 
tion. Reader!  does  death  present  the  appalling  image  of  a 
dread  eternity  to  your  mind,  or  does  faith  open  to  your  view  the 
prospect  of  a  glorious  immortality  ?  Time  hurries  on  its  rapid 
course.  Sorrow,  or  joy,  the  cry  of  terror,  or  the  song  of  vic- 
tory, must  sooner  or  later  be  the  portion  of  every  child  of  Adam. 
Be  yours  the  triumphant  song — "  Thanks  be  to  God,  which 
giveth  us  the  victory,  throush  our  Lord  Jesus  Christ." 

16* 


182 


MEMOIRS  OP  THE 


The  affectionate  sympathy  of  Mr.  Richmond's  parishionei': 
at  this  trying  season,  deserves  to  be  mentioned.  The  most  fer- 
vent prayers  had  been  offered  up  daily  for  the  recovery  of  Mrs. 
Richmond  ;  those  prayers  were  heard.  Contrary  to  all  human 
expectation,  the  symptoms  of  the  disorder  abated,  and  her  life 
was  spared.  It  seemed  as  if  she  had  entered  into  the  valley  oi 
the  shadow  of  death — explored  all  its  secret  recesses — penetra- 
ted to  its  utmost  confines,  and  seen  the  light  which  could  alone 
dispel  all  its  darkness  ;  and  then — led  by  the  hand  of  Him  who 
says,  "  I  kill,  and  I  make  alive  :  I  wound,  and  I  heal ;"  she  once 
more  returned  to  the  days  of  her  pilgrimage,  and  survived  to  fol- 
low to  tlie  grave  the  husband,  who,  thirteen  years  before,  had  re- 
signed her  to  the  mercy  of  his  God. 

The  following  letter  alludes  to  the  circumstances  above  de- 
scribed : — 

*'  My  dearest  Friend, — A  hasty  line  must  tell  you,  that  my 
dear  wife  has  been  dangerously  ill.  On  Saturday,  her  end  ap- 
peared at  hand,  but  she  has  since  revived,  and  we  entertain 
hope. 

"  I  never  witnessed  such  a  triumph  of  grace  :  it  has  shone 
more  bright  than  tenderest  hope  could  have  expected.  Jesus 
bore  her  through  the  most  painful  and  afl'ecting  scene  more  than 
triumphantly.  Amongst  other  (as  it  then  appeared,  dying)  re- 
quests, she  desired  that  one  of  the  little  boy's  names  (the  child 
whose  birth  has  occasioned  so  much  danger)  should  be  a  memo- 
rial of  that  disinterested,  affectionate,  and  highly-valued  kind- 
ness which  a  friend  indeed  once  shewed  her  and  her's  in  a  time 
of  need  :  that  name  will  be  Pellatt.  She  breathed  a  most  grate- 
ful message  at  the  same  time.  Her  manner  of  taking  leave  of 
me  and  our' eight  children  around  her  bed,  was  more  striking 
than  you  can  conceive,  or  I  can  describe. 

"  Pray  for  us,  and  give  a  line  to  your  grateful  friend, 

"  Legh  Richmond.'* 

Mr.  Richmond  ever  considered  the  education  of  the  young  as 
forming  one  very  important  part  of  his  ministerial  duties.  His 
heart  was  much  in  this  work,  and  he  was  singularly  blessed  in  it. 
He  diligently  fed  the  lambs  of  his  flock  ;  and,  as  we  have  al- 
ready Slated,  the  first  fruits  of  his  ministry  in  the  Isle  of  Wight 
and  at  Turvey  were  found  amongst  them. 

At  Turvey  he  had  been  accustomed  to  assemble  the  children 
of  the  parish  in  a  room  taken  out  of  a  barn  adjoining  the  rectory, 
but  which  was  too  small  to  accommodate  the  numbers  that  at- 
tended.   Hitherto  the  instruction  had  been  confined  to  the  Sab- 


REV,  LEGH  RICHMOrfD. 


183 


bath-day.  Mr.  Richmond  felt  anxious  to  aftbrd  the  children 
the  additional  advantage  of*  week-day  lessons  in  reading,  writing, 
and  arithmetic,  on  the  National  plan.  With  this  view  he  de- 
termined to  erect  a  school-house  ;  a  piece  of  ground  in  the  cen- 
tre of  the  village  was  given  for  the  purpose,  by  John  Higgins, 
Esq.,  and  the  object  was  ultimately  accomplished  by  the  aid  of 
the  National  Society,  and  the  contributions  of  numerous  friends. 

We  here  insert  a  letter  on  this  subject,  written  by  Mr.  Rich- 
mond to  Thomas  Pellatt,  Esq. 

"  My  dear  Friend, — It  is  common  in  this  vicinity,  when  any 
person  is  subject  to  epileptic  fits,  that  they  go  about  from  house 
to  house,  begging  for  a  piece  of  silver  money  at  each.  When 
they  have  obtained  as  many  sixpences  and  shillings  (the  more, 
they  apprehend,  the  better,)  they  get  them  all  melted  down  into 
one  amalgamated  ring  :  this  charm  they  wear,  and  they  fancy 
it  cures  their  fits.  This  may  or  may  not  be  wise  ;  but  I 
have  also  my  sort  of  fit,  and  that  is,  the  building  and  carrying  on 
a  pastoral  school,  under  my  own  care  and  labour,  for  all  the  pool- 
children  of  my  parish,  without  exception  ;  and  local  resources 
being  inadequate,  I  beg  about  for  precious  metal,  to  be  amalga- 
mated into  a  ring  of  personal  friendship  and  general  benevolence, 
for  the  support  of  my  school :  not  that  I  expect  to  be  cured  my- 
self of  my  fit  of  anxiety  for  the  poor's  sake,  but  that  I  do  hope 
for  the  cure  of  much  sin  and  ignorance  in  their  hearts,  lives,  and 
houses,  through  God's  blessing  on  this  union  of  charitable  aid. 

"  Having  said  thus  much,  do  you  feel  it  right  to  give  my  poor 
children  either  a  donation,  or  annual  subscription,  or  both,  or 
neither?  Your  name  is  already  incorporated,  not  only  with  my 
heart,  but  with  my  child.  It  would  gratify  me  to  record  it  in  my 
parochial  book  also.  But  be  assured,  that  if  you  refuse  me  (and 
pray  do  so  without  reserve,  if  you  see  good  reason  for  it,)  I  shall 
ascribe  your  non-compliance  solely  to  the  purest  motives.  My 
school,  both  in  its  erection  and  continuance  is,  and  will  be,  a 
monument  of  personal  esteem  to  me,  and  of  charity  to  my  poor 
children.    Your  faithful  friend, 

"Legh  Richmond." 

The  fidelity  of  detail  which  we  have  prescribed  to  ourselves  in 
the  execution  of  the  present  Memoir,  compels  us  to  advert  to  a 
subject  of  peculiar  delicacy.  Though  it  was  the  object  of  Mr. 
Richmond  to  train  up  his  family,  from  their  earliest  youth,  in 
those  principles  which  he  himself  professed  and  adored  ;  circum- 
stances of  a  painful  nature  occurred  in  the  conduct  of  his  eldest 
son  Nugent.    It  cannot  fail  to  afflict  the  mind  of  ^  pious  parent, 


184 


MEIVIOIRS  OF  THE 


when  he  perceives  no  fruit  from  the  seeds  of  piety,  which  he  has 
been  anxious  to  iwiplant  in  the  hearts  of  his  children.  Yet  this 
is  far  from  being  an  uncommon  case ;  children  do  not  always 
adopt  the  views,,  or  walk  in  the  steps  of  those  who  have  gone 
before  them  ;  unhappily,  examples  are  not  wanting  in  the  fami- 
lies of  pious  parents,  of  greater  ^vils  in  the  conduct  of  their 
children,  than  are  generally  found  even  amongst  the  worldly  and 
the  unbelieving.  Such  grievous  disappointments  may,  perhaps, 
be  traced  in  many  instances  to  the  neglect,  the  weakness,  or  the 
inconsistency  of  the  parents,  who  are  rebuked  and  chastised  by 
the  Almighty,  in  the  iniquity  of  their  offspring  :  yet  in  other  cases, 
trials  may  be  permitted,  to  exercise  faith,  deepen  repentance, 
<juicken  diligence,  and  excite  to  more  frequent  and  fervent  sup- 
plications at  a  throne  of  grace.  But  whatever  be  the  cause  of 
these  mournful  dispensations,  they  certainly  confirm  the  views 
and  declarations  of  Scripture,  respecting  the  awful  condition  of 
our  fallen  nature.  They  shew  that  where  the  heart  is  not  re- 
newed by  divine  grace,  the  best  instructions  and  the  brightest 
examples  are  without  effect. 

Mr.  Richmond  used  every  means  in  the  power  of  a  Christian 
parent,  to  instruct  his  children,  and  to  restrain  their  evil  propen- 
sities. Neither  solemn  expostulations,  nor  tender  entreaties, 
nor  fervent  prayers  were  wanting ;  but  they  were  in  this  case 
apparently  without  effect.  At  length,  discovering  that  his  son, 
now  sixteen  years  of  age,  evinced  a  decided  predilection  for  a 
sea-faring  life  (one  of  the  last  occupations  in  which  he  wished  to 
see  him  engaged ;)  he  conferred  with  a  valued  friend  in  the 
Transport  Office,  by  whose  advice  it  was  ultimately  arranged 
that  Nugent  should  embark  in  a  merchant's  vessel  destined  to 
Ceylon. 

These  circumstances  deeply  wounded  Mr.  Richmond's  pa- 
ternal feelings,  and  required  the  utmost  exercise  of  his  principles 
to  support  him  under  them.  It  was  a  disappointment  of  the 
keenest  kind.  This  was  his  first-born  son,  and  in  the  days  of 
tender  infancy  he  had  fondly  devoted  him  to  be  a  minister  of  the 
sanctuary.  But  the  plant  was  blighted  in  the  bud.  Yet  he  sub- 
mitted with  a  confiding,  though  mournful  spirit,  to  the  will  of 
God :  he  met  his  son  at  Deptford  ;  urged  whatever  affection 
and  duty  could  suggest ;  visited  him  again  for  the  last  time  at 
Portsmouth,  where  the  vessel  had  arrived  ;  and  having  pre-  , 
sented  him  with  a  Bible,  which  he  conjured  him  carefully  to 
peruse,  he  committed  him  to  that  God  who  has  promised,  "  I 
will  pour  my  spirit  upon  thy  seed,  and  my  blessing  upon  thine 
offspring."    {Isa.  xliv.  3.)    He  saw  the  vessel  proceed  on  \wy 


REV»  LEGH  RICH3I0ND. 


185 


voyage  with  emotions  better  conceived  than  described,  and  lin- 
gered on  the  shore  till  its  white  sails  were  discernible  no  longer. 

The  name  of  the  ship  was  the  Arniston.  The  expected  time 
of  absence  was  two  years.  Mr.  Richmond  received  letters 
from  his  son,  during  the  voyage,  as  he  arrived  at  Madeira,  and 
afterwards  at  the  Cape  of  Good  Hope,  in  the  month  of  Septem- 
ber ;  and  finally  from  Ceylon,  dated  at  Columbo,  which  place  he 
reached  in  January,  1815. 

These  letters  expressed  regret  for  his  past  conduct,  and  a 
hope  that  he  might  one  day  prove  a  consolation  to  his  parents  : 
other  letters  which  he  subsequently  wrote  were  to  the  same  effect. 

About  sixteen  months  afterwards,  Mr.  Richmond  read  the 
afflicting  account  in  the  public  prints,  that  the  Arniston,  on  its 
return  from  Ceylon  to  Europe,  had  been  lost  in  a  dreadful  gale 
of  wind,  near  the  Cape  of  Good  Hope  ;  and  that  there  was  rea- 
son to  fear  that  every  person  on  board  had  perished.  Who  can 
describe  the  feelings  which,  at  that  moment,  rent  the  hearts  of 
the  unhappy  parents  ?  The  intellijjence  was  brought  by  a  ves- 
sel from  the  Cape,  which  had  heard  the  report  on  its  voyage 
homewards.  Still,  no  official  intelhgence  had  reached  this 
country.  Mr.  Richmond  waited  the  result  with  the  most  pain- 
ful anxiety.  Information  was  at  length  received,  that  the  ves- 
sel was  wrecked  near  Cape  Lagullas,  and  that  every  passenger 
on  board  had  perished,  with  the  exception  of  six  persons,  whose 
names  were  specified ;  in  which  number  Mr.  Richmond's  son 
was  not  mentioned. 

The  whole  family  went  into  mourning  ;  and  the  father  sor- 
rowed for  his  lost  child  with  a  grief  unmitigated  by  the  commu- 
nication of  any  cheering  circumstance  as  to  the  state  of  his 
mind,  and  his  fitnese  for  so  sudden  a  change. 

Three  months  afterwards,  a  letter  was  delivered  to  Mr.  Rich- 
mond in  the  hand-writing  of  the  very  son  whom  he  mourned  as 
dead,  announcing  that  he  was  ahve — that  circumstances  had 
prevented  his  setting  sail  in  the  Arniston,  of  whose  fate  he 
seemed  to  be  unconscious  ;  and  communicating  details  of  his 
present  engagements  and  future  prospects  !  The  transition  of 
feeling  to  which  the  receipt  of  this  letter  gave  rise,  produced  an 
effect  almost  as  overwhelminji  as  that  which  the  report  of  his 
death  had  occasioned.  The  family  mourning  was  laid  aside, 
and  Mr.  Richmond  trusted  he  might  recognize,  in  this  signal 
interposition  of  divine  Providence,  a  ground  for  hope  that  his 
child's  present  deliverance  was  a  pledge  of  that  spiritual  reco- 
very, which  was  now  alone  wanting  t©  fill  up  the  measure  of  his 
gratitude  and  praise. 


186 


MRMOIRS  OP  THE 


The  following  letters  written  during  the  period  of  painful  sus- 
pense, equally  discover  the  heart  of  the  parent,  and  the  piety  of 
the  Christian. 

"  My  dear 'Mary, — On  my  return  last  night  from  the  scenery 
of  that  perfect  Paradise,  the  district  of  the  Lakes,  I  found  your 
triple  letter  With  a  heart  responsive  to  your  own,  and  whose 
happiness  depends  on  yours,  I  throw  myself  along  with  you  at 
the  footstool  of  grace  and  mercy,  and  say,  Not  my  will,  but 
thine  be  done,  O  Lord  !  Be  calm,  be  very  calm,  my  love,  and 
wait  the  Lord's  will.  It  appears,  doubtless,  more  probable  that 
the  commissioners  of  the  Transport  Office,  and  the  ship  owners, 
should  know  the  fact,  than  others.  Mr.  H.  argues  on  that 
ground  ;  and  it  is  our  wisdom  to  follow  him,  and  pause.  Per- 
haps the  report  is  designed  of  God,  to  do  us  good  :  nay,  can  I 
doubt  it  ?  If  it  should  prove  true,  the  temporary  check  given  to 
it  has  a  lenient  and  merciful  tendency,  to  prepare  our  minds  for 
events ;  if  false,  it  must  call  forth  our  gratitude,  when  it  shall 
be  proved  so.  It  can  be  no  subject  of  wonder  to  either  you  or 
me,  that  accidents  may  happen  amidst  the  perils  of  the  seas.  I 
have  ever  felt  it  a  duty  to  my  own  feelings,  to  look  upon  such  as 
at  all  times  probable  ;  and  so,  1  am  persuaded,  have  you.  After 
all  that  we  have  gone  through  on  that  trying  subject,  I  hope  we 
are  prepared  to  view  all  its  contingencies,  as  those  who  have  ex- 
perienced too  much  mercy  from  our  God  and  Saviour,  not  to 
trust  him  in  the  darker  and  more  mysterious  providences  with 
which  he  may  see  good  to  try  us.  I  perfectly  accord  with  you, 
in  the  most  willing  surrender  of  his  life,  if  his  soul  be  but  safe  : 
and  if  it  has  pleased  God  to  remove  him  in  this  way,  why  should 
we  wholly  despair  of  answers  to  prayer  ?  I  have  faith  in  that 
very  prayer  you  offered  up  in  May  last  for  him,*  and  in  many 
others  which  you  have  sent  forth  to  heaven  in  his  behalf.  Know- 
ing nothing  but  what  your  letter  affords  me,  I  shall  wait,  and  cast 
my  burden  on  the  Lord.  Do  you  the  same;  and  then  we  shall 
sweetly  meet  at  the  throne  of  Grace,  in  daily  unity  and  blessed 
accord.  I  could  never  for  an  instant  doubt  that  God  had  some 
designs  of  wisdom  and  love  in  the  trials  of  last  May ;  and  I 
hope  amongst  them  is  a  more  calm,  resigned,  hopeful,  and  solid 
state  of  mind,  as  it  concerns  our  son.  I  will,  therefore,  for  the 
present,  close  the  subject,  with  an  earnest  prayer,  that  you  and  1 
may  mutually  cast  our  care  on  Him  who  careth  for  us,  who  pre- 
serveth  us  daily,  and  crowneth  our  un  worthiness  with  his  mer- 


*  During  the  period  of  her  dangerous  illness. 


REV.  LEGH  RICHMOND. 


187 


cies.  He  has  a  right  to  it,  and  we  will  not  rob  him  of  the  honour 
of  keeping  us  as  the  apple  of  his  eye.  So  he  giveth  his  beloved 
rest.    Amen !" 

"  My  dear  Mother, — We  thank  you  from  our  hearts,  for  all 
vour  kindness.  We  feel  a  calm  resignation  to  the  will  of  God 
m  this  new  trial,  and  recognise  evidences  of  his  covenant  love 
in  the  consolations  which  he  vouchsafes  us.  Nature  and  me- 
mory will  now  and  then  be  very  busy,  and  we  feel  greatly. 
Then  we  think  of  the  efficacy  of  prayer,  in  connexion  with 
promise,  and  are  strengthened  and  supported.  I  doubt  not  that 
a  veil  is  permitted  to  be  throv/n  over  the  last  nine  months  of 
poor  dear  Nugent's  life,  in  order  that  faith  and  hope  may  have  a 
ground  for  exercise.  I  am  willing  to  believe,  that,  in  addition 
to  all  others,  the  prayers  of  his  apparently  dying  mother,  a  fort- 
night before  the  shipwreck,  were  too  fervent  and  spiritually 
ctiectual  not  to  avail  much  for  her  son.  '  The  promise  is  to 
you  and  to  your  children,  and  to  them  that  are  afar  off.' 

*'  The  people  here  once  more  assemble  in  crowds  at  prayer- 
meetings,  for  us  :  above  250  gathered  together  last  night. 
Much  sympathy  prevails  ;  and  I  trust  God  is  making  '  all  things 
work  together  for  the  good  of  them  that  love  him,  and  are  call- 
ed according  to  his  purpose.'  My  dear  wife  exhibits  all  the 
grace  and  Christianity  of  last  May,  on  the  present  occasion. 
She  is  incessantly  occupied  :  she  devotes  four  entire  hours  to 
the  boys  alone,  independently  of  the  three  hours  which  they 
pass  with  Mr.  Garrard.  The  remainder  is  appropriated  to  the 
other  children  and  the  household.  She  has  high  ideas  of  the  du- 
ties both  of  a  wife  and  mother,  and  seems  to  lay  herself  out 
for  both,  with  a  mixture  of  good  sense  and  piety  which  I  have 
never  seen  exceeded,  seldom  equalled.  God  gives  her  great 
strength  of  mind  at  present,  although  she  often  testifies  debility 
of  body  and  spirits.  You  may  writ^  to  her  without  fear.  I 
was  prepared,  by  contradictory  reports,  for  some  v/eeks  past,  to 
meet  the  confirmation  of  this  sad  catastrophe,  and  so  was  my 
dear  wife  in  a  measure  :  but  last  Saturday  morning,  as  we,  and 
the  three  elder  girls,  were  breakfasting  at  Mrs.  Livius',  at  Bed- 
ford, the  newspaper,  containing  the  whole  melancholy  narrative, 
was  taken  up  by  my  wife,  and  she  instantly  and  suddenly  saw 
the  account.  It  was  a  trying  hour,  and  we  all  melted.  Friends 
in  need  are  friends  indeed,  and  amongst  our  greatest  earthly 
mercies.  Nobody  but  ourselves  can  rightly  estimate  this  trial, 
because  none  else  can  know  what  we  went  through  on  that  poor 
boy's  account.    Thank  God,  we  cannot  reproach  ourselves — 


188 


MEMOIRS  OF  THE 


we  did  the  best  we  could,  from  his  birth.  The  Lord  saw  fit  to 
try  us,  but  it  was  in  wisdom  and  love.  We  dreaded  his  return 
to  England,  unless  he  was  greatly  changed  :  but  who  shall  say 
that  the  great  change  was  not  wrought,  through  his  own  trials 
and  sufieringe,  sanctified  of  God  to  his  soul?  Poor  boy!  when 
his  watery  grave  appeared  to  be  his  immediate  and  only  refuge, 
he  must  have  thought  of  his  poor  parents,  and  needed  a  friend 
and  counsellor.  But  1  hope  God  was  bettei-  to  him  than  any 
earthly  friend — and  then,  all  is  well,  for  him  and  us  too.  A 
thousand  thoughts  sometimes  crowd  into  our  minds,  and  make 
us  weep.  Then  comes  the  kind  Redeemer,  and  wipes  away 
the  tears  from  our  eyes.  *  This  is  the  victory  that  overcometh 
the  world,  even  our  faith.' — Your  affectionate  son, 

"  L.  RichmondJ' 

The  following  pastoral  letter  alludes  to  the  same  subject : — 

"  My  dear  Friends, — I  expected  to  have  the  satisfaction  of 
speaking  to  you  this  day  from  the  pulpit,  after  a  journey,  during 
which  I  have  seen  much  of  the  blessing  of  God,  both  in  my 
public  labours  and  my  private  intercourse  ; — but  we  know  not 
what  a  day  may  bring  forth  !  It  has  pleased  Him,  with  whom 
are  the  issues  of  life  and  death,  to  bring  me  acquainted  with  the 
event  of  the  death  of  my  first-born  child  by  shipwreck,  on  the 
shores  of  Africa,  on  the  30th  of  May  last.  I  know  that  I  have 
many  dear  friends  amongst  you,  who  will  feel  for  me  under  this 
trial,  and  make  allowance  for  my  state  of  mind,  as  not  permit- 
ting me  to  come  out  this  day.  Nevertheless,  I  wish  you  to 
hear  something  of  my  thoughts,  and  to  know  how  a  covenant 
God  and  Saviour  supports  me  under  this  bereavement.  I  have, 
therefore,  desired  that  you  would  gather  together  as  many 
friends  and  neighbours  as  you  can  for  prayer.  We  feel  most 
thankful  to  God,  and  to  you,  for  your  prayers,  wlien  my  dear 
partner  seemed  to  be  dying  ;  and  believe  that  the  Lord  heard 
you.  We  think  that  he  will  hear  you  again,  when  you  ask  that 
this  trial  may  be  sanctified  to  us,  and  over-ruled  to  God's  glory, 
and  the  final  comfort  of  many  a  soul. 

"  You  are  none  of  you  ignorant  that  it  pleased  God  to  permit 
grievous  exercises  of  mind  to  befall  his  parents,  through  some 
circumstances  connected  with  the  conduct  of  this  now  departed 
youth  ;  and  I  believe  that  very  many  of  you  have  felt  much  for 
us  before  now,  on  this  account.  Yet  we  feel  it  to  be  a  great 
mercy,  that,  making  all  necessary  allowances  for  human  defects 
and  failings,  we  cannot  reproach  ourselves  with  mbconduct  to- 


REV.  L^GH  RICHMOND. 


189 


wards  him.  We  did  what  we  believed  to  be  right  and  best  for 
him,  from  his  infancy  :  the  precepts,  the  principles,  the  instruc- 
tions, and  the  examples  which  we  endeavoured  to  set  before 
him,  were,  to  the  utmost  of  our  power,  according  to  the  word 
of  God,  to  the  time  of  his  leaving  us.  And  then  we  were  per- 
fectly satisfied  that  God,  in  his  providence,  had  opened  the  best 
and  only  possible  way  of  avoiding  greater  evils,  when  he  shewed 
us  and  our  child,  that  it  was  right  and  necessary  he  should  choose 
a  sea-life,  as  his  appointed  path.  However  contrary  to  our  for- 
mer wishes,  we  submitted  to  the  will  of  God  ;  and  he  very 
cheerfully  set  out  on  his  voyage.  The  God  who  saw  good  that 
this  should  be  his  lot  and  portion,  has  forbidden  his  return  home 
again  ;  and  our  boy  is  gone  the  way  of  all  flesh.  '  The  Lord 
gave  and  the  Lord  hath  taken  away — blessed  be  the  name  of  the 
Lord !'  But  here  is  our  hope  and  consolation.  Nearly  eighteen 
years'  prayers  have  been  unceasingly  offered  up  for  the  welfare 
of  his  soul,  and  I  believe  that  none  of  those  prayers  were  una- 
vailing. Only  a  fortnight  before  the  time  at  which  he  died,  his 
mother  was  wrestling  in  earnest  and  believing  prayer,  for  his 
soul  to  be  reconciled  to  God.  The  Lord  heard  her  for  herself; 
and  may  we  not  hope  that  he  who  says,  '  the  promise  is  to  you 
and  to  your  children,'  would  hear  her  for  him  likewise  1  More- 
over, you  prayed  earnestly  for  her  and  for  him  too  ;  and  the  Lord 
heard  you  for  her — why  not  for  him  likew^ise  ?  All  these  things 
appear  to  the  eye  of  my  faith,  as  links  in  the  chain  of  grace : 
and  I  do  therefore  hope,  that,  amidst  the  trials  and  w^onders  of 
the  deep,  faith  and  repentance  might  be  granted  to  our  poor  boy,  > 
before  he  departed  hence,  and  was  no  more  seen.  0  parents  ! 
learn  to  pray  for  yourselves,  and  then  you  shall  be  heard  for  your 
children.  We  are  most  thankful  to  God,  for  enabhng  us  to  take 
this  view  of  his  covenant  love,  and  to  build  hope  on  this  Rock 
of  ages. 

"  Some  of  you  will  remember  him  with  affection,  although 
you  used  to  mourn  over  his  errors.  I  sincerely  hope  you  will 
yet  meet  him  in  a  better  world — where  shall  be  neither  sin  nor 
sorrow,  and  where  no  acts  of  real  kindness  to  your  fellow-crea- 
tures will  be  forgotten. 

"  I  have  often  called  on  you  as  missionary  friends ;  and  I 
hope  I  shall  prevail  on  still  more  of  you  to  help  the  cause  of 
poor  injured  Africa. 

We  seem  to  have  now  another  strong  feeling  towards  the 
shores  of  Africa.  Poor  Nugent  hes  buried  there  !  and  our  mis- 
sionary pennies  and  pounds  are  going  to  a  country,  which  his  fa- 
ther loves  for  the  negro's  and  the  Hottentot's  sake,  as  well  as 

17 


I 


190 


MEMOIRS  OF  THE 


1 


because  his  son  has  there  found  a  grave.    May  the  living  and 
the  dead  in  Africa  experience  the  blessing  of  the  Lord ! 

"  Grace,  peace,  and  rnercy  be  upon  you  all !  I  hope  His  pre- 
sence will  he  with  you,  when  you  meet  for  prayer ;  and  if  (as 
may  be  probably  the  case)  some  may  not  be  with  you  the  first 
time  you  hear  this,  call  another  meeting,  and  read  this  letter 
again,  so  that  all  may  hear  it  who  wish  to  do  so.  And  believe 
me,  with  much  Christian  love,  to  be — Your  affectionate  friend 
and  minister, 

"  Legh  Richmond." 

We  have  already  alluded  to  "  the  Fathers  of  the  English 
Church,"  and  to  a  respectable  body  of  the  clergy,  at  whose  ear- 
nest entreaty,  and  on  whose  promise  of  support,  Mr.  Richmond 
undertook  ihat  important  publication.  At  the  same  time,  they 
submitted  to  his  consideration  the  propriety  of  confining  his  se- 
lections from  the  writing's  of  the  Reformers  to  four  octavo  vo- 
lumes. 

In  yielding  to  the  wishes  of  his  clerical  brethren,  amonfrst 
whom  was  the  late  Mr.  Robinson,  of  Leicester,  and  Dr.  Gil- 
bee,  the  rector  of  Barby,  in  Northamptonshire,  he  considered 
the  whole  body  of  his  advisers  as  responsible  for  the  expenses, 
and  pledged  to  carry  him  through  the  hazard  of  the  undertaking  : 
and  with  this  idea,  he  announced  the  proposed  work,  under  the 
sanction  of  a  joint  editorship.  The  selection  was,  however, 
left  to  his  own  discretion  ;  and  trusting  too  implicitly  to  the  re- 
putation and  merits  of  the  Reformers,  and  judging  of  the  public  ' 
mind  by  his  own  estimation  of  their  writings,  he  extended  the 
work  to  eight  volumes.  Admitting  the  value  of  his  materials, 
we  still  question  the  propriety  of  increasing  the  size  of  the  pub- 
lication ;  not  only  because  the  risk  was  doubled,  but  also,  be- 
cause the  purchase  was  rendered  too  expensive  for  the  generality 
of  theological  readers.  Whatever  might  be  the  cause,  the  sale 
was  comparatively  slow.  It  neither  fulfilled  the  expectations  of 
Mr.  Richmond  and  his  friends,  nor  was  it  in  any  way  commen- 
surate with  the  sterling  value  of  the  work.  The  spirit  of  the 
age  v/as  not  sufficiently  advanced  to  appreciate  the  importance 
of  such  an  undertaking,  though  its  merits  are  now  generally  ad- 
mitted, and  it  has  become  a  book  of  acknowledged  reference. 
And  yet  it  was  allowed  by  competent  judges  that  the  editor  had 
performed  his  oflSce  of  selection  with  great  fidelity ;  including 
the  sentiments  of  all,  and  excluding  none  ;  minghng  with  them 
no  comments  of  his  own,  but  leaving  the  reader  to  the  free  and 
unfettered  exercise  of  his  judgment.. 


REV.  LEGH  RICHMOND. 


191 


Worldly  policy,  however,  was  not  one  of  the  qualifications  of 
the  subject  of  this  Memoir  :  he  was  by  no  means  fitted  for 
transactions  of  a  secular  nature.  None  possessed  more  of  the 
harmlessness  of  the  dove — few  had  less  of  the  cautious  pru- 
dence of  the  serpent.* 

The  sale  of  "  The  Fathers"  was  insufficient  to  defray  the 
expenses  of  publication;  and  in  the  summer  of  1814,  on  a 
balance  of  accounts,  it  appeared  that  Mr.  Richmond  was  in- 
debted to  his  publisher  in  the  sum  of  2000/.  ;  and  that  he  had 
no  means  of  defraying  this  large  amount,  but  by  the  stock  in 
hand. 

These  pecuniary  embarrassments  lay  heavy  on  the  mind  of 
I  Mr.  Richmond,  and  deeply  aflected  his  spirits.  Hi-  depression 
was  observed  by  his  friends  ;  but  it  was  not  without  difficulty  he 
was  prevailed  on  to  disclose  the  cause.  He  was  a  man  of  most 
delicate  feeling,  and  shrunk  from  the  idea  of  calling  on  others 
for  reUef". 

I  The  knowledge  of  these  facts  induced  many  of  his  friends 
to  exert  themselves  in  the  sale  ol"  "  The  Fathers  and  by  their 
exertions,  in  the  course  of  about  fifteen  months,  the  whole  debt 
was  discharged. 

It  is  not  intended,  by  the  above  remarks,  to  reflect  on  the 
parlies  with  whom  the  work  originated,  or  on  the  persons  em- 
ployed in  its  publication  :  yet  it  is  but  common  justice  to  our 
much  esteemed  friend,  to  explain  to  the  world  a  transaction,  to 
which  no  small  blame  has  been  attached,  yet  in  which  nothing  is 
to  be  regretted  but  the  increased  size  of  the  work,  and  his  want 
of  knowledge  in  the  business-part  of  its  publication.  In  the 
pecuniary  transactions  of  life,  Mr.  Richmond  preserved  an  un- 
deviating  rectitude.  With  an  income  never  exceeding  400/.  or 
500/.  ;  till  within  a  few  years  of  his  decease  ;  and  with  a  family 
of  twelve  children,  to  be  maintained  and  educated,  (with  the 
exception  of  two,  who  died  in  infancy,)  it  is  much  to  his  credit 
that  he  provided  things  honest  in  the  sight  of  all  men,  owing 
no  man  any  thing,"  and  depending  only  on  his  own  resources. 
With  respect  to  the  difficulties  arising  from  the  publication  of 
The  Fathers,"  he  ever  considered  himself  entitled  to  pubhc 
sympathy  and  relief,  having  undertaken  the  work,  not  indeed 
with  the  security  of  legal  instruments,  yet  with  the  implied  en- 

*  Mr.  Richmond's  aversion  to  the  affairs  of  this  life,  and  his  consequent  un- 
fitness for  them,  is  portrayed  in  the  following  anecdote. —  He  was  oq  a  visit  to 
his  friend  Mr.  F.,  who  excused  his  absence  by  saying — "  I  must  leave  you  for 
an  hour,  Richmond,  to  do  penance  at  our  parish  vestry."  "  If,"  replied  Mr. 
Richmond,  **  it  is  penance  to  you,  it  would  be  a  perfect  purgatory  to  me." 


192 


MEMOIRS  OP  THE 


gagement  of  an  adequate  support.  Whether  he  was  right  in 
tills  supposition,  we  are  not  prepared  to  decide.  The  history  of 
this  transaction  conveys,  however,  an  impressive  lesson  to  ail 
candidates  for  the  press,  not  to  engage  too  precipitately  in  the 
dangers  and  risks  of  authorship ;  but  to  calculate  the  conse- 
quences, and  by  wise  and  judicious  arrangements,  to  endeavour 
to  ensure  success,  or  to  anticipate  the  possibility  of  failure. 

The  following  letter  shews  the  strength  of  his  faith,  and  his 
implicit  reliance  on  the  promises  of  God,  amidst  his  difficulties. 

"  With  the  most  affectionate  love,  regard,  and  estimation,  my 
dearest  Mary,  I  must  expostulate  with  you,  on  this  mistrustful 
and  despondent  view  which  you  seem  too  wilUng  to  indulge.  I 
may  say,  what  has  God  done,  in  his  whole  course  of  providen- 
tial mercies  for  eighteen  years,  that  we  should  not,  to  the  fullest 
extent,  trust  Him  with  ourselves,  our  fortunes,  and  our  children, 
for  the  time  to  come  ?  Will  mistrust  of  our  only  Provider  and 
Protector,  render  us  less  likely  to  meet  with  trials  ?  I  am  too  deep- 
ly sensible,  and  grateful  also  for  your  conduct  and  feeling  on  the 
general  subject  of  domestic  matters,  not  to  enter  most  heartily 
into  them.  But  as  you  have  asked  my  advice  on  your  state  of 
mind,  I  do  most  earnestly  conjure  you  to  consider  the  genuine 
meaning  of  those  texts — '  Take  no  thought  for  the  morrow 
and  *  Be  careful  for  nothing,  but  in  everij  thing  by  prayer  and 
supplication,  with  thanksgiving,  let  your  requests  be  made 
known  unto  God,'  &c.  {Phil.  iv.  6,  7.)  See  also,  1  Peter  v.  7 ; 
Psalm  Iv.  22  ;  and  many  more.  I  am  persuaded  that  mistrust 
of  God's  providential  care  is  a  besetting  sin  of  many  of  God's 
children,  and  hinders  much  of  their  peace,  comfort,  and  useful- 
ness. You  are  not  justified,  my  dear  Mary,  in  foreboding  evil 
to  yourself  and  your  children.  How  many  clergymen  with  large 
families  have  much  fewer  comforts,  and  worse  prospects  1  God 
has  blessed  us  too  much  in  many  points  of  view,  to  warrant  such 
sad  conclusions  and  gloomy  doubts.  Pray  lay  these  things 
more  unconditionally  on  the  Lord,  and  He  will  infallibly  prepare, 
strengthen,  and  support  you  in  every  thing.  What  has  he  not 
done  to  prove  this  \  It  is  the  joy  of  my  heart  to  hope  and  think 
that  your  merciful  restoration  to  me  and  mine,  is  to  exemplify 
a  lasting  confidence  in  the  wisdom,  love,  and  power  of  that 
God,  who  so  delightfully  brought  you  through  the  greatest  of  all 
trials,  in  the  valley  of  death,  leaning  on  his  rod  and  his  stafl^. 
May  God  enable  you  to  keep  up  my  spirits  as  well  as  your  own, 
by  the  belief,  that  he  who  hath  done,  will  also  do  all  things  well. 


REV.  LEGH  RICHMOND. 


193 


it  is  my  perfect  persuasion  that  by  faith  we  are  saved,  in  body 
as  well  as  in  soul.  Therefore,  with  the  minutest  attention  to 
every  prudent  and  active  means,  '  Only  believe !'  is  the  Chris- 
tian's motto." 

During  the  Emperor  Alexander's  visit  to  this  country,  Mr. 
Richmond  had  the  gratification  of  meeting  him  at  Portsmouth. 
Mr.  Richmond  had  ascended  a  lofty  tower  in  the  dock-yard,  and 
from  its  summit  was  viewing,  through  a  telescope,  the  surround- 
ing objects,  when  his  Imperial  Majesty  and  suite  unexpectedly 
entered.  Mr.  Richmond  offered  to  withdraw  ;  but  the  Emperor 
would  not  consent,  saying — "  Perhaps,  sir,  you  are  acquainted 
with  the  points  of  view  before  us  ?"  Mr.  Richmond  assured 
him  he  well  knew  every  spot  in  the  neighbourhood ;  and 
drawing  out  his  telescope,  directed  the  eye  of  the  Emperor  to 
the  different  objects  worthy  of  notice.  After  a  long  and  in- 
terestii^  conversation  with  his  Majesty,  before  they  separated, 
Mr.  Richmond  said — "  I  avail  myself  of  this  opportunity  to 
thank  your  Imperial  Majesty,  in  my  own  name,  and  in  that  of 
all  the  friends  of  the  Bible  Society  in  England,  for  the  distin- 
guished patronage  and  support  that  your  Majesty  has  shewn  to 
the  same  cause  in  Russia."  The  Emperor  obligingly  replied — 
Sir  my  thanks  are  rather  due  to  your  country,  and  to  the 
friends  of  the  cause  :  for  had  it  not  been  for  your  example,  we 
should  have  had  no  Bible  Society  in  Russia." 

Some  months  after  this  remarkable  interview,  Mr.  Richmond 
inclosed  a  copy  of  his  Tracts,  with  the  following  letter,  to  his 
Imperial  Majesty. 

"  May  it  please  your  Imperial  Majesty, — An  offer  has  been 
made  to  me,  by  the  Rev.  Mr.  Paterson,  of  conveying  a  copy  of 
the  book  which  accompanies  this  letter  to  your  Imperial  Majesty, 
through  the  kindness  and  condescension  of  his  Excellency  the 
Prince  Galitzin. 

"  In  presuming  to  take  this  liberty,  I  am  influenced,  not  by 
the  opinion  which  I  myself  entertain  as  to  the  value  of  the  con- 
tents of  the  volume,  but  by  the  firm  persuasion  which  I  hold, 
that  the  Christian  sentiments  which  form  the  foundation  of  those 
simple  narratives,  are  dear  to  your  Majesty's  heart. 

"  Your  Majesty's  public  conduct  and  avowed  principles  have 
tended  to  convince  me,  that  neither  the  splendour  of  imperial 
dignity,  nor  the  glory  of  military  conquests  are,  in  your  Majesty's 
estimation,  comparable  to  the  privileges  and  blessings  wjjich 


.17* 


194 


MEMOIRS  OF  THE 


Christianity  alone  can  confer  on  those  who  live  unaei  the  in- 
fluence of  the  Gospel  of  our  Lord  and  Saviour  Jesus  Christ. 

"  In  the  belief  and  hope  that  it  is  your  Majesty's  desire  to  pro- 
mote the  temporal  and  eternal  interests  of  the  people  of  Russia, 
by  any  instrument,  however  apparently  small  and  unworthy, 
which  God  may  see  good  to  bless,  I  submit  this  little  volume  to 
your  Majesty's  candid  acceptance. 

"  These  short '  Annals  of  the  Poor'  have  been  made  very 
useful,  through  the  mercy  and  power  of  God,  to  many  in  this 
country.  England  is  now  attached  to  Russia,  not  only  by  past 
political  and  friendly  relations,  but  much  more  than  ever,  by  your 
Majesty's  dignified  and  condescending  deportment,  during  your 
recent  visit  to  this  kingdom.  May  the  King  of  kings,  who  is 
alike  the  Lord  of  Russia  and  of  Britain,  make  use  of  even  so 
feeble  an  instrument  as  this  little  volume,  to  convey  some  of 
the  spirit  *.al  blessings  which  have  attended  its  publication  in 
Britain,  to  the  utmost  extent  of  your  Majesty's  dominions. 

"  When  your  Majesty  shall  be  pleased  to  receive  this  book, 
may  the  author  of  it  be  permitted  to  remind  your  Majesty,  that 
he  is  the  same  individual  whom  your  Majesty  saw  at  the  summit 
of  the  lofty  tower,  in  the  dock-yard  at  Portsmouth,  on  Friday, 
June  24th  last ;  and  who  then  had  the  unexpected  honour  of 
lending  your  Majesty  the  telescope  with  which  your  Majesty 
surveyed  the  surrounding  prospect.  The  kind  and  condescend- 
ing manner  in  which  your  Majesty  was  pleased  to  notice  an 
English  stranger  on  that  occasion,  is  recollected  with  the  sin- 
cerest  satisfaction  and  gratitude,  whilst  I  now  present  this  vo- 
lume to  your  Majesty's  notice. 

*'  Your  Majesty  will  be  pleased  to  allow  me,  as  a  minister  of 
the  Gospel,  to  conclude  by  praying  Almighty  God,  that  His 
grace,  peace,  and  mercy,  may  be  abundantly  poured  down  upon 
your  Majesty,  and  upon  the  people  of  your  extensive  dominions^ 
over  whom  he  has  given  you  the  earthly  sovereignty  ! 

"May  the  Gospel  of  the  blessed  Jesus  prosper  among  the 
subjects  of  all  the  Russias  ;  and  that  it  may  be  your  Majesty's 
chief  crown  of  rejoicing,  in  the  great  day  of  his  appearance,  is 
the  supplication  of — Your  Imperial  Majesty's  most  obedient 
and  unworthy  servant, 

L.  R." 

The  following  reply  was  received  by  Mr.  Richmond  from  his 
Imperial  Majesty,  accompanied  with  a  ring  of  considerable 
value  : — 


REV.  LEGH  RICHMOND. 


195 


"Reverend  Sir, — The  copy  of  your  book,  entitled  'Annals  of 
the  Poor,'  was  according  to  your  desire,  presented  to  his  Im- 
perial Majesty,  the  Emperor  Alexander,  by  me,  together  with 
your  letter,  and  accepted  by  his  Majesty,  with  the  greatest  sa- 
tisfaction. The  object  of  this  volume,  the  promotion  of  Christian 
charity  and  truly  rehgious  sentiments,  renders  it  most  interest- 
ing and  valuable  in  the  eyes  of  the  Emperor,  who  desires  nothing 
so  much  as  to  see  the  principles  of  the  Gospel  of  Jesus  Christ 
our  Saviour,  more  and  more  universal  in  his  dominions,  and  iii 
the  whole  world. 

"On  this  occasion,  his  Imperial  Majesty  recollected  also 
having  made  your  acquaintance  in  Portsmouth,  under  the  cir- 
cumstances you  describe  in  your  letter. 

"  In  consequence  of  all  this,  his  Majesty  ordered  me  to  de- 
posit your  book  in  the  library  of  the  Imperial  Humane  Society, 
and  to  send  the  ring  which  accompanies  this  letter,  as  a  mark  of 
his  true  esteem  for  you,  and  high  approbation  of  your  work. 

"  It  is  very  agreeable  to  me,  in  thus  fulfilling  the  order  of  my 
sovereign,  to  assure  you  of  the  sincere  esteem  with  which  I 
have  the  honour  to  be — Your  most  obedient  servant, 

"Prince  Alexander  Galitzin. 

*'St.  Petersburgh,  Ulh  Jan.  I8l7." 

Mr.  Richmond  also  presented  a  copy  of  his  "  Young  Cottager^' 
to  Princess  Sophia  Metstchersky,  who  first  translated  the  tract 
of  the  Dairyman's  Daughter  into  the  Russian  language.  This 
noble  lady's  time  and  influence  are  consecrated  to  the  cause  of 
religion,  and  many  instances  are  recorded  of  her  usefulness. 
May  her  distinguished  example  inspire  a  like  zeal  in  others  of 
the  same  elevated  rank;  and  may  the  time  soon  arrive,  when  the 
crown  and  the  coronet  shall  universally  be  laid  at  the  foot  of  tht 
cross  of  the  Redeemer  ! 

He  received  from  her  Highness  the  following  answer : — 

"  Reverend  Sir, — I  have  been  hesitating  for  some  days  if  I 
should  stop  to  answer  you  till  Mr.  Pinkerton  would  be  here,  in 
hope  that  he  would  help  me  to  express  my  gratitude  for  your  kind 
letter  and  valuable  present  in  proper  time  ;  but  I  am  afraid  it 
^vill  be  too  long,  and  you  will  perhaps  suppose  me  indifferent  and 
ungrateful,  so  I  venture  to  send  you  roy  bad  English  without 
correction. 

"  Remember,  dear  Sir,  that  I  am  but  a  scholar,  a  very  new- 
one,  and  quite  unfit  to  correspond  with  such  a  man  as  you, 
though  mysoul  is  capable  of  loving  you  as  a  brother  and  friend 


196 


MEMOIRS  OF  THE 


in  Christ  Jesus,  and  of  admiring  you  as  a  chosen  servant  of  his, 
a  vessel  unto  honour,  sanctified  and  meet  for  the  Master's  use, 
and  for  the  edification  and  comfort  of  his  children.  Yes,  Sir, 
I  hope  I  am  united  to  you  in  one  body  and  soul,  which  is  Christ 
Jesus  the  Saviour;  and  I  say,  with '  Little  Jane,'  that  I  am  happy 
to  be  even  the  smallest  and  lowest  of  all  his  members.  How 
much  I  delighted  in  reading  this  narrative  ;  how  wonderful  the 
grace  of  our  Lord  !  how  happy  the  country  where  children  are 
brought  up  in  the  fear  of  God,  and  taught  so  young  to  love  and 
serve  the  Saviour;  what  an  eminent  Christian — so  young  a 
child !  But  this  is  neither  to  be  taught  nor  learnt.  He  alone  can 
give  it,  who  is  love  itself,  and  who  purchased  us  to  himself  by 
shedding  his  precious  blood  for  us.  Oh,  Sir!  you  do  not  know 
perhaps,  to  what  an  unworthy  being  you  wrote.  I  have  passed 
all  my  life  in  the  ignorance  of  Him  who  died  for  me,  without 
love  to  Him  who  loved  me  first,  and  sought  me  out,  when  I 
hastened  to  my  ruin  in  a  life  of  enmity  to  my  God.  He  sought 
me  out,  and  mercifully  sent  His  servant  Pinkerton  to  open  my 
eyes  and  my  ears  by  the  power  of  Flis  word,  so  that  I  plainly  see 
now  what  a  sinful  wicked  creature  I  am  ;  what  a  gracious,  mer- 
ciful God  to  oflTend  !  and  how  kind,  and  always  ready  and  willing 
to  receive  us,  our  Saviour  Jesus  Christ  is,  and  always  will  be  ! 
How  good  He  was  to  me,  sending  such  a  meek,  patient,  loving 
soul,  as  the  worthy  Mr.  Pinkerton  proved  to  be  during  his  living 
in  my  family.*  What  a  life  of  disgust  it  must  have  been  to  a  man 
of  his  distinguished  merit,  to  bear  with  the  caprices  and  wicked- 
ness of  a  spoiled,  ignorant,  and  proud  woman;  but  charity 
seeketh  not  her  own,  is  not  easily  provoked,  beareth  all  things, 
hopeth  all  things,  endureth  all  things:  charity  never  faileth:  I 
have  had  an  evident  proof  of  it  in  my  dear  friend  and  instructor. 
But  I  must  stop,  and  ask  to  be  forgiven  for  having  written  so 
much  :  my  heart  opens  at  the  voice  of  a  friend,  and  then  I 
fc'peak  out  of  the  fulness  of  it.  Excuse  me,  then,  Sir,  for  in- 
truding so  much  upon  your  time.  Pray  for  me,  that  I  may  come 
in  faith  and  grace  to  the  happy  day,  in  which  I  shall  be  enabled 
to  join  with  you  in  joyful  hallelujahs  and  eternal  praises  of  our 
heavenly  Father  and  divine  Saviour.  Oh,  may  his  peace 
always  be  with  you !  Receive  with  indulgence,  dear  Sir,  my 
•  hcBrty  thanks  ;  and  in  the  assurance  of  the  sincere  esteem  and 
high  regard  with  which  I  am — Your  much  obliged  ar>d  obedient, 

P.  Sophia  Metstchersky." 

*  Mr.  (now  Dr.)  Pinkfrtoii,  w^'s  cntrnstcd  wiih  the  education  of  ihh  d>- 
fingoished  lady's  cln]?frfeti. 


REV.  LEGH  RICHMOND. 


197 


The  letters  to  Mrs.  Livius,  which  are  next  inserted,  were 
written  about  this  period,  and  the  editor  cannot  recur  to  them 
ivithout  feeUngs  of  the  UveUest  emotion.  They  allude  to  an  ex- 
:ellent  and  highly  valued  character,  the  late  G.  Livius,  Esq., 
»vho  is  endeared  to  the  writer  by  recollections  which  time  can- 
lot  impair — which  live  not  only  in  the  memory,  but  in  the  heart. 
He  once  knew  the  world,  but  had  long  left  it  in  pursuit  of  a 
ietter.  He  was  the  well-known  Gains*  of  the  county  where 
le  hved — the  lover  of  good  men,  of  whatever  name  or  title  :  he 
,vas  purified  in  the  furnace  of  affliction ;  but  his  trials  are  now 
erminated,  and  his  sun  shines  bright  and  unclouded  through  an 
|3ndless  eternity. | 

The  editor  trusts  he  shall  be  pardoned  for  this  short  indul- 
gence of  awakened  feeling  towards  one  who  was  his  father-in- 
aw, — loved  in  life,  and  lamented  in  death. 

"Aov.  15, 1816. 

"  My  dear  Madam, — Permit  me  to  exercise  the  Christian 
mvilege  of  at  once  condoUng  and  consoling.  Often  have  I 
elt  with  and  for  you,  as  it  has  long  respected  your  departed  son  ; 
^et  I  doubt  not,  every  pang  of  his,  and  every  grief,  have  alike 
lad  their  allotted  embassy,  and  that  a  message  of  mercy  to  both. 
The  valley  of  tears  is  strewed  with  rocks  and  thorns,  and  the 
)athway  often  lies  through  deep  waters  ;  yet  the  rocks  are 
)laced  there  by  him  who  is  emphatically  the  Rock ;  the  thorn  of 
•are  is  not  unaccompanied  by  the  Hose  of  Sharon  ;  and  in  the 
leep  waters  God  has  promised  to  deliver.  If  this  valley  be  a 
vilderness,  it  is  one  through  which  his  people  are  journeying, 
md  in  the  midst  of  its  darkest  shades  they  fear  no  evil,  for  He 
s  with  them ;  his  rod  and  staff  are  their  support  and  consola- 
ion.  Is  it  not  so,  my  honoured  friend  ?  That  you  and  I  may 
;ver  prove  it,  is  the  sincere  prayer  of  my  dear  wife  and  of — Youv 
iffectionate  Friend 

Legh  Richmond.'* 

*  A  name  given  to  him,  ex^jressive  of  his  hospit  ility.  St.  Paul  alludes  to 
iaius,  as  the  host  by  whom  he  was  entertained.    Romans  xvi.  23. 

t  The  following  anecdote  deserves  to  be  preserved,  relating  to  this  gentleman, 
ie  was  formerly  resident  in  India,  where  he  held  an  important  office,  in  the 
ime  of  Warren  Hastings.  Being  some  time  after  requested  by  Mr.  Burke, 
vho  conducted  the  celebrated  impeachment,  to  fiu-nish  him  with  some  Iresh 
harges,  of  which  it  was  known  that  Mr.  Livius  was  in  possession,  the  latter 
nquired  what  number  he  already  intended  to  prefer?  "We  have  now,"  re- 
)lied  Mr.  Burke,  "  twenty-seven  charges  against  him."  "  Then,"  said  Mr. 
livius,  "  I  will  not  add  one  more  to  the  aumber,  for  you  have  ticenty  too 
uany." 


198 


MEMOIRS  OF  THE 


''Nov.  23,  1816'. 

"  My  dear  Madam, — Allow  me  once  more  to  express  the 
friendly  solicitude  which  I  feel  for  you  and  my  honoured  friend 
Mr.  Livius,  under  your  recent  and  present  trial.*  His  strength 
and  spirits  would  not  admit  of  my  saying  all  which  my  heart  I 
dictated  when  I  saw  him  yesterday.  I  wish  him  to  know  how 
much  I  have  valued  his  friendship,  and  how  grateful  I  feel  for  a 
series  of  hospitality  and  kindness  of  no  ordinary  character,  for  a 
period  of  now  near  eleven  years.  I  wish  him  to  know  that  I 
have  ever  been  a  sympathising  observer  of  his  bodily  sufferings  ; 
and  have  entertained  a  cordial  esteem  and  regard  for  his  many 
amiable  and  excellent  qualities  of  head  and  heart. 

"  The  confidential  intercourse  with  which,  at  various  periods, 
he  has  been  pleased  to  favour  me,  cannot  be  obliterated  from 
my  recollection,  nor  etfaced  from  my  affections.  It  is  my 
heart's  prayer  that  his  consolations  may  be  '  neither  few  nor 
small ;'  that  the  peace  of  God  may  be  his  resting-pillow,  and 
that  God  will  *  make  his  bed  in  all  his  sickness.'  Not  one  afflic- 
tion has  ever  befallen  him  beyond  what  his  heavenly  Father  de- 
signed for  his  present  and  eternal  good.  Wisdom,  mercy, 
power  and  faithfulness,  have  guided  all.  May  each  of  his 
children  be  blessed  with  a  heart  taught  by  the  same  spirit  who 
hath  taught  him  and  you  to  look  to  the  Strong  One  for  help ; 
and  may  they  be  effectually  preserved  from  the  snares  and  delu- 
sions of  this  present  evil  world. 

"  May  you,  my  dear  friend,  be  upheld  by  a  Saviour's  power 
and  love,  to  fulfil  every  arduous  task  which  his  wisdom  assigns 
you.  Forgive  this  intrusion,  solely  prompted  by  grateful  friend- 
ship.   Accept  our  united  assurances  of  love  for  you  and  yours." 

"  Dec.  18,  1816. 

My  very  dear  Friend, — It  is  fit  that  the  same  moment  which 
brings  me  the  long-expected,  yet  afflicting  tidings  of  my  much- 
loved  friend's  departure  from  this  vale  of  tears,  should  dictate 
a  few  sympathetic  lines  to  his  dear  relict  Your  mind  has  long 
waited  this  event,  with  Christian  resignation.  May  the  Spirit  of 
povver  and  peace  bless  his  own  preparation,  now  that  the  hour 
of  trial  has  arrived  !  You  have  the  prayers  of  many  friends  to 
mingle  with  your  own.  These,  in  God's  sight,  are  riches. 
May  you  enjoy  them  spiritually  and  eternally  !  '  Tribulation 
worketh  patience  ;  patience  experience  ;  experience  hope  ;' 
hope  thou  therefore  in  God.    Time  is  swiftly  passing  away,  and 

^  The  death  of  one  of  their  sons,  and  the  dangerous  illness  of  Mr.  Lirius. 


KEV.  LEGH  RICHMOND. 


199 


its  stream  is  giadually  absorbed  in  eternity.  Our  years  roll  on, 
and  we  shall  soon  be  there  ;  and  there  we  shall  meet  those  who 
have  loved  Christ,  and  loved  us.  There,  dear  madam,  in  the 
bosom  of  your  Saviour  and  God,  you  shall  meet  your  dear  hus- 
band. Till  then,  may  faith,  hope,  peace,  tranquillity,  and  love, 
gild  your  horizon,  like  resplendent  clouds  round  the  setting  sun, 
prophetic  of  a  bright  approaching  morning.  Christ  has  be- 
queathed his  peace  to  you  ;  take  it  as  his  legacy,  and  use  it  to 
liis  glory.  Mrs.  Richmond  unites  in  affectionate  regards  to  you 
and  all  yours,  under  this  present  trial,  with — Your  affectionate 
Friend, 

"  Legh  Richmond." 

We  close  the  chapter  with  a  pleasing  Httle  poetical  effusion, 
written  about  this  time. 

A  WIDOWED  MOTHER'S  ADDRESS  TO  HER  DAUGHTER,  ON 
THE  DAY  OF  HER  MARRIAGE. 

Sav,  "why  should  my  bosom  thus  heave  with  a  sigh, 
And  the  tear  of  affection  now  start  from  my  eye  ? 
Forgive  me,  my  child,  whom  my  soul  holds  so  dear — 
You've  a  smile  from  my  heart,  though  my  eye  drops  a  tear! 

This  sigh  is  the  tribute  of  tenderest  love, 

And  I  trust  shall  be  heard  in  the  mansions  above  ; 

For  it  breathes  a  warm  prayer  to  the  bridegroom  of  heaven, 

That  to  thee,  now  a  bride,  his  best  blessing  be  given. 

Alay  He  weave  thee  a  garland  on  this  nuptial  morn, 
With  the  roses  of  Sliaron  thy  brows  to  adorn  ; 
"\Vith  the  ring  of  his  love,  may  he  claim  thee  for  his, 
And  pronounce  thee  "joint  heir"  of  his  heavenly  bliss. 

-May  his  true  wedding-robe,  which  he  purchased  with  blood, 
Be  thy  portion,  my  daughter,  by  Jesus  bestowed  ; 
By  his  grace  freely  pardoned,  and  cleansed  from  all  sin,  ♦ 
Be  thou  spotless  withou*:,  and  all  glorious  within. 

May  my  child  and  her  partner,  in  holy  connexion. 
Be  united,  through  grace,  by  true  Christian  affection  ; 
May  the  wife  prove  a  sister,  the  husband  a  brother, 
And  each  find  a  help  in  the  faith  of  the  other. 

Thus  thy  marriage  on  earth  a  sweet  emblem  shall  be, 
Of  a  far  brighter  union  provided  for  thee  ; 
And  then,  the  few  days  of  thy  pilgrimage  past, 
Thy  Saviour  will  own  Thee  Ms  spouse  at  the  last. 

Peace  be  with  you,  my  children  !  I  speak  without  guile, 
I  began  with  a  tear,  but  I  end  with  a  smile  ; 
'Tis  my  hope  that  your  happiness  nothing  shall  cloy, 
And  the  heart  of  the  widow  shall  sing  with  new  joy  : 


200 


MEMOIRS  OP  THE 


CHAPTER  XII. 

Leiiers — Poetry — Description  of  lake-scenery — Brief  account 
of  his  first  tour  to  Scoitand — His  sentiments  on  Oratorios-^ 
Tribute  to  the  memory  of  his  mother. 

It  was  usual  with  Mr.  Richmond  to  mark  with  peculiar  so- 
lemnity the  birth-days  of  himself  and  all  his  family.  These  he 
kept  as  a  kind  of  religious  festival — writing  letters  to  the  differ- 
ent members  of  his  family,  and  preaching  to  his  parishioners  on 
an  appropriate  subject.  The  following  letter  he  wrote  to  his 
mother  on  one  of  these  occasions. 

My  dearest  Mother, — The  return  of  this  day  demands  a 
return  of  affectionate  regards  to  God,  the  author  of  my  being, 
and  to  you,  the  instrument  employed  by  him  to  convey  Hfe  and 
existence  to  my  unworthy  self.  Often  do  I  reflect  with  love  and 
gratitude  on  your  kindness  and  watchful  care  over  me,  from 
infancy  to  the  present  moment.  Your  quahties  of  heart  and 
head  cannot  be  forgotten,  any  more  than  the  name  of  parent — a 
title  consecrated  by  every  principle,  divine  and  human.  This 
being  my  birth-day,  I  propose  to  preach  on  Psalm  cxxxix.  verses 
14 — 18.  How  suitable  for  such  a  meditation!  What  a  miracle 
is  the  life  of  man,  viewed  naturally,  spiritually,  and  eternally ! 
How  incomprehensible,  from  the  first  to  last !  from  conceptioa 
to  the  cradle — from  the  cradle  to  the  grave — from  the  grave  to 
the  resurrection — from  the  resurrection  through  eternity !  Then 
to  consider  the  endless  variety  of  frames,  providences,  events, 
souls,  bodies,  and  spirits  !  Sometimes  when  I  meditate  on  futu- 
rity, I  am  lost  in  inexplicable  thought :  I  then  see  the  importance- 
of  the  mind's  retiring  into  the  consolations  of  the  past  and  pre- 
sent, as  they  arise  from  the  revealed  plan  of  salvation ;  and 
through  that  medium,  even  eternity  assumes  a  solid  and  hopeful 
aspect. 

"  If  ever  I  felt  it  more  than  ordinarily  due  to  a  valued  parent 
to  express  my  gratitude,  it  is  at  a  time  when  she  has  so  kindly  and 
so  considerately  met  the  peculiar  circumstances  of  difficulty,  in 
which  a  variety  of  events  have  conspired  to  place  me.  Between 
my  last  and  present  birth-day,  many  sorrows,  many  shocks  ta 
feeling,  many  heavy  expenses  have  occurred ;  my  heart  has 
been  tried  to  the  utmost :  but  your  affectionate  unupbraiding. 


REV.  LEGH  RICHMOND. 


201 


and  liberal  conduct,  has  proved  a  great  cordial  to  me  and  my 
dear  wife,  in  ail  our  trials." 

The  following  letter  will  introduce  to  the  reader  a  son  of  Mr™ 
Richmond's,  of  whom  we  shall  have  occasion  to  speak  more 
fully  towards  the  close  of  this  memoir.  The  name,  as  has  been 
observed,  was  given  to  commemorate  that  remarkable  event  in 

;  his  own  life,  arising  from  the  perusal  of  Mr.  Wilberforce's  work 
on  Practical  Christianity.    This  boy  was  now  in  his  twelfth 

I  year ;  and  we  insert  this  letter  principally  to  shew  the  manner  in 
which  Mr.  Richmond  addressed  his  children  at  an  early  age. 

"  My  dear  Wilberforce, — Shall  I  have  no  cause  for  heart-ache 
it  my  return,  when  I  inquire  how  my  child  has  behaved?  how 
be  has  attended  to  his  learning  1  how  he  has  adhered  to  truth  in 
his  words?  Shall  I  be  comforted  with  the  glad  tidings  that  your 
heart,  and  your  conscience,  and  your  ways,  all  seem  to  partake 
of  a  happy  influence  ?  That  you  shew  your  love  to  mamma  by 
keeping  her  commandments  ?  That  you  pray  to  God  to  forgive 
you  your  sins,  and  hourly  offences  ?  Do  the  four  walls  of  your 
little  chamber  bear  witness  to  your  prayers  and  supplications  for 
yourself  and  me?  Do  the  sun's  rays,  as  they  early  penetrate 
your  window  in  the  morning,  find  you  early  and  active  to  rise, 
to  read,  to  labour,  and  to  grow  in  grace  ? 

"  I  saw  Litchfield  cathedral,  and  attended  divine  service  there. 
It  is  a  much  smaller  one  than  York,  but  has  great  beauty ;  the 
organ  notes  rolled  sublimely  through  the  vaults,  arches,  pillars, 
!\nd  roof ;  and  the  exquisitely  painted  windows  assimilated  with 
such  sounds,  and  rendered  the  effect  very  fine.  It  has  three 
beautiful  spires. 

"  One  evening  I  travelled  with  a  friend  for  three  hours,  amidst 
l^e  most  beautiful  and  never-ceasing  distant  lightning;  the 
wHole  western  hemisphere  was  in  a  constant  blaze  ;  the  flashes 
ahernated  from  one  point  of  the  horizon  to  another,  distant  about 
forty-five  degrees  from  it ;  sometimes  the  flashes  were  silvery, 
sometimes  yellow,  sometimes  orange  ;  sometimes  forked,  some- 
times sheet-Uke ;  sometimes  so  vivid,  you  seemed  to  have  a  peep 
into  more  distant  regions  of  space  ;  sometimes  more  faint ;  now 
and  then  you  heard  slight  rumblings,  then  all  was  silent.  At 
one  point  the  flashes  gleamed  upon  a  distant  view  of  a  castle, 
which  seemed  all  on  fire,  and  was  only  rendered  visible  by  the 
effect  of  the  lightning.  A  dark  forest  lay  behind,  and  formed  a 
fine  contrast.  Sometimes  the  forked  flashes  hurried  one  another 
in  a  kind  of  playful  progress  ;  at  others,  they  dashed  together 

18 


202 


MKMOIRS  OF  THE 


as  if  in  terrible  combat ;  all  this  passed  between  seven  and  tea 
o'clock,  on  the  evening  of  June  28th.  But  what  are  these 
lightnings,  compared  with  those  which  made  Moses  quake  and 
tremble  at  Mount  Sinai?  or  what  were  even  the  latter,  when 
contrasted  with  those  of  God's  wrath  against  sinners  ?  Thun- 
der and  Hghtning  is  a  fine  emblem  of  divine  justice  and  threat- 
enings.  You  have  need  to  'flee  from  the  wrath  to  come.' 
'  Repent,  for  the  kingdom  of  heaven  is  at  hand.'  '  The  wicked, 
and  all  the  people  that  forget  God,  shall  be  turned  into  hell.' 
Do  you  forget  Him?  if  so,  what  shall  be  your  portion?  If  you 
say  you  do  not  forget  Him,  how  do  you  prove  it? — 

 video  meliora  proboque 

Deteriora  sequor ; 

is  the  character  of  too  many  nominal  Christians;  I  would  not 
have  it  to  be  yours.  An  enlightened,  but  unconverted  mind, 
has  eyes  and  tongue  to  approve  what  is  right ;  but  the  feet  follow 
the  paths  of  evil.  A  converted  heart  alone  walks  in  the  steps 
of  Him  who  is  *  the  way,  the  truth,  and  the  life.'    Say — 

"  To  me,  0  Lord,  be  thou  *  the  way,* 
*  To  me,  be  thou  *  the  truth  ;' 

To  me,  my  Saviour,  be  *  the  life,' 
Thou  Guardian  of  my  youth  ! 

"  So  shall  that  'u  ay'  be  my  delight, 

That  *  truth '  shall  make  me  free  ; 
That  '  life '  shall  raise  me  from  the  dead, 

And  then  I'll  live  to  Thee." 

"I  sincerely  hope  you  are  beginning  to  be  truly  sensible  of 
the  danger  of  sin,  and  the  necessity  of  seeking  the  Lord  very 
early.  Your  life  is  an  uncertainty,  at  best ;  occasional  indispo- 
sitions should  remind  you  that  you  may  never  arrive  at  man's 
estate.  If  you  are  to  die  a  boy,  we  must  look  for  a  boy's  reli- 
gion, a  boy's  knowledge,  a  boy's  faith,  a  boy's  Saviour — a  boy's 
salvation!  Or  else,  a  boy's  ignorance — a  boy's  obstinacy — a 
boy's  unbelief — a  boy's  idolatry — a  boy's  destruction !  Remem- 
ber all  this,  and  beware  of  sin ;  dread  the  sinfulness  of  an  un- 
changed heart — pray  for  a  new  one ;  pray  for  grace  and  pardon,  ^ 
and  a  soul  conformed  to  the  image  of  Christ  Jesus  ; — pray  for 
^i^dom,  for  the  destruction  of  pride,  vain  conceit,  and  self-suf- 
ficiency. '  Be  not  slothful  in  business ;  but  fervent  in  spirit, 
serving  the  Lord.' 

"  Friends  here  inquire  after  you ;  but  it  is  in  the  full  hope 
{hat  you  go  on  well,  creditably,  obediently,  industriously,  humbly, 
and  Christianly.    Love  to  all,  from — Your  affectionate  Father, 

L.  R." 


REV.  LEGH  RICHMOND. 


203 


We  here  introduce  a  birth-day  hymn,  composed  for  his  son 
>ViJberforce : — 

My  years  roll  on  in  silent  course, 
Impelled  by  a  resistless  force  : 
Awake,  my  soul !  awake  and  sing, 
How  good  thy  God,  how  great  thy  King  ! 

"  My  years  roll  on  :  then  let  me  know 
The  great  design  for  which  they  flow  ; — 
-  And  as  the  ship  floats  o'er  llie  ware, 
Thy  vessel.  Lord  !  in  mercy  save. 

*'  My  years  roll  on :  the  tide  of  time 
Bears  me  through  many  a  changing  clime ; 
I've  summers,  winters — heat  and  cold, — 
Winds,  calms,  and  tempests,  ten  times  told. 

"  My  years  roll  on  :  but  here's  my  hope, 
And  this  my  everlasting  prop  : 
Though  seasons  change,  and  I  change  too. 
My  God's  the  same — for  ever  true ! 

"  My  years  roll  on  :  and  as  they  roll. 
Oh  !  may  they  waft  my  ransom'd  soul 
Safe  through  life's  ocean,  to  yon  shore, 
Where  sins  and  sorrows  grit  ve  no  more  ! 

"My  years  roll  on  ;  and  with  thera  dows 
That  mercy  which  no  limit  knows  : 
*Tis  Mercy's  current  makes  me  glide, 
In  hope  of  safety,  down  the  tide. 

"  My  years  roll  on :  my  soul  be  still, — 
Guided  by  love,  thy  course  fulfil : 
And,  my  life's  anxious  voyaj^e  past, 
My  refuge  be  with  Christ  at  last !" 

"L.R." 

The  birth  of  another  child  induced  Mr.  Richmond  to  request 
a  very  endeared  friend,  Mrs.  R.,  formerly  of  Kendal,  to  stand 
as  sponsor.    The  request  was  made  in  the  following  letter; — 

"  Turvey,  Jan.  23,  1S18. 

"  Will  my  dear  friend,  Mrs.  R.  allow  me  to  enrol  her  name 
amongst  the  sponsors  of  my  sweet  little  child  at  her  baptism  1 
It  is  my  wife's  desire,  as  well  as  my  own  :  do  not  refuse  us. 

Dear  Mrs.  F.  of  S  Castle,  is  the  other  godmother.  Join 

her  in  this  act  of  charity  and  friendship,  and  thus  put  a  seal  to 
valuable  recollections  of  Kendal,  Keswick.  &c.  &c.  The 
hymn  of  our  last  morning,  after  breakfast,  still  echoes  a  sweet 
farewell  in  my  ear  and  my  heart. 

"  My  babe  is  to  be  called  Charlotte  Elizabeth.  Charlotte,  as 
a  memorial  of  the  lamented  Princess  ;  and  Elizabeth,  as  a  me- 


S04 


MEMOIRS  OF  THE 


morial  of  Hhe  Dairyman's  Daughter/  A  palace  and  a  cottage 
here  unite  in  my  child's  cradle :  may  she  rock  in  peace,  and 
ever  be  found  in  the  arms  of  her  Saviour." 

The  following  verses,  composed  by  Mr.  Richmond,  were 
sung  at  the  baptismal  font,  immediately  after  the  service  was 
concluded. 

"  Welcome,  dear  babe,  to  Jesu's  breast, 
For  ever  there  securely  rest ; 
Welcome  to  these  his  courts  below — 
Here  may  our  God  his  grace  bestow. 

"  Lord,  sanctify  this  solemn  hour, 
Thy  spirit  on  our  ofl'spring  pour ! 
■  Fulfil  thy  promise  to  our  child — 

May  she  in  Christ  be  reconciled  ! 

"  These  holy  waters  now  proclaim 
Redemption  free  in  Jesu's  name  ; 
Each  sprinkled  drop  becomes  a  seal 
Of  that  salvation  which  we  feel. 

"  Behold  th'  aflfrighted  infant  weep ! 
Fear  has  disturbed  her  gentle  sleep. 
Weep  not,  dear  babe,  all  others  smile, 
And  love  and  bless  thee  all  the  while. 

"  Grant,  Lord  !  if  spared,  the  time  may  come. 
When,  summoned  to  her  heavenly  home, 
Though  all  around  her  weep  and  sigh, 
In  smiles  triumphant  she  may  die  ! 

*'  Receive  the  helpless  child  we  pray. 
And  seal  her  to  Redemption's  day  ! 
Mansions  of  bliss  may  she  inherit — 
The  gift  of  Father,  Son,  and  Spirit !'» 

With  the  lady  who  stood  sponsor  to  his  child,  during  one  of 
his  tours  in  the  North,  Mr.  Richmond  visited  the  Lakes  of 
Westmoreland.  Among  his  papers  is  a  very  pleasing  descrip- 
tion of  the  Scenery  of  that  rich  and  romantic  country.  We  ex- 
tract the  following  passage,  on  account  of  its  beauty  : — 

There  are  numberless  changes  of  effect  produced  in  moun- 
tain scenery  by  the  variation  of  sun,  shade,  mist,  cloud,  the 
state  of  vegetation,  character  of  the  atmosphere,  and  other 
causes,  well  known  to  every  one  familiar  with  such  scenes  ;  and 
they  constitute  no  inconsiderable  source  of  that  high  gratifica- 
tion which  the  traveller  experiences  in  the  study  of  natural  beau- 
ties. The  same  combination  of  objects,  viewed  under  a  change 
of  external  circumstances,  forms  completely  a  new  scene,  and 
possesses  an  appropriate  charm ;  inasmuch  as  it  is  the  same? 


REV»  LEGH  RICHMOND.  205 

xii(J  yet  different.  This  consideration  unfolds  an  almost  endles 
diversity  of  effect,  to  be  observed  and  enjoyed  by  the  mind 
which  loves  to  investigate  the  varieties  of  which  such  prospects 
are  susceptible.  This  double  source  of  variety,  sometimes  oc- 
casioned by  actual  change  of  the  principal  object  in  the  land- 
scape, and  sometimes  only  by  a  change  of  attendant  circum- 
stances, affords  strong  evidence  that  the  Creator,  in  all  his  works, 
appears  to  delight  in  a  profusion  of  that  display  of  contrivance, 
skill,  and  diversity,  which  teaches  the  creature  to  adore  his  attri- 
bute of  Omnipotence.  But  it  does  more  :  it  leads  to  the  con- 
templation of  that  which  declares,  that  '  God  is  here  !'  The  de- 
light with,  which  a  Christian  traces  the  finger  of  God,  in  the 
midst  of  a  fine  prospect,  does  not  merely  arise  from  the  admi- 
ration of  divine  power  and  contrivance  ;  nor  from  his  own  quick 
sense  of  beautiful  and  sublime  imagery  ;  nor  from  his  deduction 
□f  cause  and  efiect,  which  natural  philosophy  traces  in  the  his- 
tory of  earth,  air,  fire,  and  water.  He  sees  all  this,  it  is  true, 
and  honours  God  in  it.  But  he  also  sees,  that  in  the  whole  of 
this  complexity  of  w-onders,  this  harmony  of  created  existence, 
there  is  a  purpose  of  benevolence.  The  diversified  joys  of  the 
landscape  all  concentrate  in  the  joy  of  devotion.  It  is  the  love 
of  God  to  man  which  fills  the  scenery  with  beauty  and  delight ; 
it  is  the  love  of  God  which  adapts  the  mind  of  man  to  this  pecu- 
liar capacity  of  intellectual  enjoyment.  Whether  the  Chris- 
tian's survey  of  nature  partakes  of  the  skill  of  the  artist,  the 
Bnergy  of  the  poet,  the  science  of  the  philosopher — let  his  en- 
joyment arise  from  any  or  from  all  of  these  sources, — this  is  the 
crowning  consideration,  that  these  delights  are  given  him  of  God, 
ind  are  an  evidence  of  God's  love  to  him.  This  leads  him  to 
reflect  on  his  own  character  as  a  fallen  sinner,  yet  still  the  ob- 
ject of  such  incomprehensible  mercy. 

"  Under  the  impression  of  all  these  powerful  emotions,  he 
3ursts  forth  into  the  pious  reflection  ;  '  What  is  man,  0  Lord, 
hat  thou  art  thus  mindful  of  him,  or  the  son  of  man,  that  thou 
!  30  regardest  him  !'  Nor  can  he  refrain  from  exclaiming — '  O 
I  Lord  our  God,  how  excellent  is  thy  name  in  all  the  earth !'  " 
!  We  subjoin  another  reflection,  as  he  surveyed  the  beautiful 
I  Lake  of  Windermere  above  the  town  of  Bowness,  vhere  it  first 
I  oreaks  upon  the  sight. 

i  "  Was  Paradise  more  enchanting  than  this  ?  Did  the  Lord 
i  put  our  first  parents  into  a  garden  more  exquisitely  beautiful 
i  than  that  before  me  ?  Could  the  river,  which  watered  the  plains 
and  valleys  of  Eden — could  the  ground,  out  of  which  grew 
every  tree  that  is  pleasant  to  the  sight  and  good  for  food,  present 
I  18* 

I 


206  MEMOIRS  OP  THE 

a  more  lovely  sight  than  this  1  That  Paradise  is  vanished  from 
mortal  sight  and  possession ;  but  through  the  Redeemer,  a 
brighter  and  immortal  Paradise  is  regained  ;  and  the  believer 
may  see  it  emblematically  and  substantially  represented  to  him, 
iji  his  spiritual  enjoyment  of  such  an  earthly  Paradise  as  the  vale 
and  mountains  of  Windermere." 

As  he  passes  through  the  church-yard  of  Bowness,  towards 
the  Lake,  he  remarks  : — 

A  country  church-yard  is  ever  an  interesting  object ;  but  in 
such  a  situation  as  this,  many  new  ideas  are  excited,  which  add 
greatly  to  contemplative  affections.  On  entering  it,  I  was  im- 
mediately struck  by  seeing  a  newly-erected  tomb-stone,  at  the 
east  end  of  the  church-yard,  on  which  is  inscribed  the  name  of 
Richard  Watson,  late  Bishop  of  Llandaff,  who  passed  a  large 
portion  of  the  latter  part  of  his  life  at  a  beautiful  mansion  on 
the  banks  of  Windermere  :  he  died,  aged  81.  It  was  near  this 
very  day  twelvemonths  that  I  held  a  conversation  with  him,  as 
he  sat  in  his  carriage,  at  Ambleside." 

Mr.  Richmond,  having  received  frequent  invitations  to  visit 
Scotland,  and  being  no  less  desirous  himself  of  cultivating  a 
personal  intercourse  with  many  valuable  characters  in  that  coun- 
try, was  induced,  in  the  year  1818,  to  fulfil  his  long-meditated 
project.  The  introduction  of  the  Jewish  subject  afforded  a 
favourable  opportunity  ;  though  it  was  to  be  expected  that  the 
sphere  of  exertion  would  be  somewhat  contracted  to  an  Epis- 
copalian pleader  of  that  cause.  We  are  in  possession  of  very 
few  notices  of  this  first  journey,  beyond  the  accompanying  let- 
ters ;  but  we  are  furnished  with  more  ample  materials  respect- 
ing a  visit  paid  in  1820,  to  which  we  shall  in  due  time  direct  the 
aittention  of  the  reader. 

"  My  dear  Mary, — The  respect,  regard,  friendship,  and  affec- 
tion with  which  both  myself  and  my  cause  are  received,  in  every 
place,  by  the  religious  people  in  Scotland,  constitute  a  feature 
in  my  life  never  to  be  forgotten.  My  whole  mind  is  deeply  bu- 
sied in  meditations  upon  the  goodness  and  love  of  God.  I  can 
tiardly  expect  to  interest  your  mind  in  all  the  minutiae,  of  my 
hourly  intercourse ;  but  I  believe  your  eyes  would  be  often 
^lled  with  tears  of  gratitude,  if  you  saw  and  heard  all  which  I 
iee  and  hear. 

"  Delicate  and  difficult  as  the  task  is  which  I  have  to  per* 
form,  as  an  Episcopal  missionary  in  this  Presbyterian  land,  | 
to  have  succeeded  beyond  hope ;  and  I  am  laying  the  first 


REV.  LEGH  RICHMOND. 


207 


foundation  of  a  building,  in  which,  if  Providence  permit  and 
spare  me,  I  shall  hereafter  feel  much  interested,  and  the  cause  of 
God,  I  trust,  be  effectually  promoted.  But  think  not,  my  loved 
Mary,  that  amidst  the  bustle  of  missionary  arrangements,  con- 
versations, speeches,  and  sermons  ;  nor  amidst  the  wonders 
and  beauties  of  mountains,  lakes,  cascades,  rocks,  glens,  plains, 
rivers,  trosacks,  and  woods,  I  forget  my  dear,  dear  domestic 
circle  at  home.  You  are  all  unceasingly  before  my  eyes  ;  and 
the  family  group  mingles  with  every  scene  I  behold,  and  every 
undertaking  wherein  I  am  concerned  ;  and  often  I  see  my  dear 
wife  anxiously  and  diligently  pursuing  the  duties  of  her  station, 
— smiling  on  the  babe,  or  listening  to  the  juvenile  tales  which  a 
Catherine  or  a  Legh  may  be  able  to  read  or  to  spell  ;  or  taking 
your  walk,  during  tliis  beautiful  weather,  in  the  fields.  Or  I  see 
you  on  your  knees,  praying  for  grace  to  enable  you  to  act  with 
judgment  in  all  things  ;  and  supplicating  mercies  on  your  hus- 
band, as  he  journeys  by  land  or  by  water.  Our  prayers  meet. 
What  a  favour  to  enjoy  health,  saiety,  and  comfort,  in  all  my 
wandeiings — to  be  permitted  to  see  the  cause  of  God  flourish- 
ing in  a  foreign  land,  or  rather,  in  so  distant  a  part  of  our  own  !'■ 

"  My  vnsh  is,  that  my  loved  and  honoured  wife  may  receive 
this  on  our  w^edding-day.  If  posts  occasion  a  failure,  let  the  will 
be  accepted  for  the  deed.  My  desire  is  to  express  to  you  on 
that  day  (an  anniversary  most  dear  to  my  heart)  some  little  por- 
tion of  that  love  and  honour  which  I  bear  towards  you,  and  to 
assure  you,  that  a  distance  of  four  hundred  miles,  and  a  most 
active  and  unceasing  train  of  business,  impairs  not,  but  rather 
enhances  the  feelings  of  ray  heart  towards  you  and  our  dear 
children.  Scenes  indeed  of  a  natural,  moral,  and  spiritual 
character  are  passing  here  before  me  in  striking  succession,  far 
beyond  what  I  can  express,  but  I  trust  they  are  ripening  for  do- 
mestic good,  and  I  never  felt  more  than  now  that  great  benefits 
to  myself  and  to  others  are  originating  in  my  missionary  excur- 
sions. God  only  knows  what  I  have  felt  on  my  reception  in 
Scotland,  as  connected  with  my  tracts  and  sermons.  I  am 
surprised,  gratified,  and  humbled. 

"  A  leading  feature  in  my  late  transactions  has  been  derived 
from  visits  to  Sunday  and  other  schools,  where,  after  hearing 
the  children  examined,  I  have  addressed  them.  In  every  in- 
stance they  have  made  juvenile  collections  for  the  Jewish  child- 
ren. On  Sunday  last  I  visited  a  school  of  two  hundred  child- 
ren. It  was  the  half  yearly  day  for  distributing  reward  books. 
The  sixty  most  d^servirig  scholars  \yere  to  receive  *  the  Young 


208 


MEMOIRS  OP  THE 


Cottager'  as  their  reward.  Three  of  them  had  ah-eady  been 
blessed,  some  time  ago,  in  hearing  it  read  at  school.  I  was 
requested  to '  present  each  child  with  the  tract,  as  they  were 
successively  brought  up  to  me,  in  presence  of  about  two  hun- 
dred grown-up  persons  of  all  ranks.  It  was  a  most  solemn 
and  affecting  scene.  The  gentleman  who  manages  the  school 
offered  up  a  most  affecting  thanksgiving  for  the  good  which  had 
attended  the  distribution  of  my  tracts  throughout  Scotland,  and 
in  his  school  in  particular,  and  for  the  opportunity  now  afforded 
of  introducing  me  personally  to  so  many  children,  '  who  had 
long  loved  me  with  all  their  hearts.'  Immediately  all  the  com- 
pany and  all  the  children  sang  a  thanksgiving  hymn.  Then 
followed  what  affected  me  greatly.  The  children  were  drawnv 
up  in  a  triple  semicircle,  in  the  centre  of  which  I  stood.  Each 
successful  candidate  successively  stepped  forward  and  received 
^  from  my  hand  a  '  Young  Cottager,'  and  from  my  lips  a  short  ex- 
hortation and  blessing.  Not  an  eye  was  dry,  and  my  own  with 
difficulty  allowed  me  to  go  through  the  simple  and  interesting 
ceremony.  One  girl,  who  was  two  years  smce  converted  by 
God's  blessing  on  the  tract,  as  she  approached  me,  was  so  af- 
fected, that  she  dropped  on  her  knees  and  burst  into  tears. 

*'  At  another  female  school  which  I  visited,  there  was  a  class 
of  thirty  dear  little  girls,  all  of  five  and  six  years  old,  who  un- 
derwent the  most  interesting  examination  I  ever  witnessed.  A 
monitor  of  eight  years  examined,  and  all  the  thirty  little  lambs 
replied  at  once  in  simple  orderly  expressions,  as  if  but  one  had 
spoken  ;  and  thus  also  they  repeated  hymns,  and  at  last  united 
in  singing  one.  They  then  grouped  around  the  chair  where  1 
stood,  and  where  I  addressed  about  one  hundred  and  eighty  of  all 
ages.  The  affectionate  farewells  which  I  have  received  from 
numerous  classes  of  friends,  accompanied  by  the  most  earnest 
entreaties  that  I  will  repeat  my  visits  among  them,  affect  me 
beyond  any  thing  I  have  ever  witnessed. 
"  Edinburgh,  July  17,  1818." 

"  My  dearBoy, — Were  I  to  attempt  to  describe  the  beauties  of 
(he  Highlands  of  Scotland  to  you,  I  should  be  much  at  a  loss. 
Whether  my  subject  were  the  grand  mountains,  with  snow  stijl 
on  their  tops  ;  or  the  magnificent  water-falls,  amidst  rocks,  and 
glens,  and  woods ;  or  the  noble  rivers  and  romantic  brooks, 
winding  through  fruitful  plains  or  hills  ;  or  the  fine  lakes,  expand- 
ing their  bosoms  to  the  clouds,  which  they  reflect  from  their 
surfaces  ; — whether  I  were  to  write  from  the  splendid  mansion 
and  grounds  of  a  Highland  chief;  or  the  lowly,  smoke-dried 


REV  LEGH  RICHMOND. 


209 


Cottage  of  a  Highland  peasant ; — whether  the  ruined  castle  or 
abbey,  or  the  neat  modern  parish  church  were  the  subject  of  my 
description,  I  could  say  much,  yet  not  enough.  Here  I  am, 
amidst  the  unexampled  and  wild  beauties  of  the  Trosacks,  on 
the  banks  of  the  Loch  Katrine  !  T/jere  is  the  glen,  down  which 
Fitz-James  hurried  from  the  mountains,  when  he  lost  his 
way  :  there  is  the  island  of  the  Lady  of  the  Lake,  from  whence 
she  put  forth  her  little  skiff,  at  the  sound  of  the  echoing  horn. 
There  is  the  great  mountain  of  Benvenu,  springing  up  from  the 
lake  to  the  clouds  :  there  is  his  brother  Benan,  with  Benean,  and 
1  Benhaum,  and  Benledi,  and  Benvoirlich,  and  Beneen,  and  many 
more  lofty  beins  (mountains,)  surrounding  this  most  lovely  lake. 
Here  is  the  Goblin's  Hole  ;  and  there  the  spot  where  the  last  of 
the  couriers  of  Rhoderic  Dhu  was  slain.  In  all  the  scene  sub- 
limity reigns  ;  and  above  all,  God  reigns  in  it  also." 

My  dear  F  , — I  was  unspeakably  gratified  at  New- 
castle, in  seeing  two  little  girls,  one  of  ten,  the  other  of  twelve, 
the  spiritual  fruits  of  my  '  Young  Cottager  the  latter  of  the 
two  I  had  not  seen  before,  t  never  before,  except  in  the  case 
of  *  Little  Jane'  herself,  saw  so  clear  and  so  early  an  instance 
of  decided  grace,  and  of  a  truly  enlightened  mind  :  you  would 
have  tiiought  her  conversation  equal  to  eighteen,  at  least.  I 
apprehend  that  I  have  become  acquainted  with  above  thirty  cases 
of  decided  usefuhaess  in  youth,  from  that  tract,  since  I  came 
into  the  North.  Oh  !  what  a  mercy  !  In  this,  '  goodness  in- 
deed follows  me.' 

"  My  visit  to  Scotland  has  been  marked  by  more  affection  and 
usefulness  than  any  one  I  ever  made  :  numerous  public  and 
private  occurrences  overwhelm  me  with  gratitude.  The  Scot- 
tish scenery  is  of  the  very  first  class.  Whatever  is  beautiful, 
whatever  is  grand,  whatever  is  wild  and  romantic — alt  are  to  be 
found  in  almost  unlimited  variety  of  display.  Noble  rivers, 
lakes  and  waterfalls,  picturesque  hills  and  mountains,  lovely 
land  and  sea  views,  fine  towns  and  buildings — all  speaking  the 
goodness,  power,  and  wisdom  of  God  !  The  marks  of  affec- 
tion, regard  and  esteem,  with  which  I  was  received,  far  exceed 
what  I  have  ever  witnessed  ;  and  I  have  reason  to.  believe 
much  actual  good  has  been  done  to  many  individuals,  while  I 
was  there." 

The  following  letters  express  his  sentiments  on  the  subject  of 
Oratorios,  on  which  he  seems  to  have  held  a  most  decided  opi- 
nion.   No  man  was  ever  more  truly  fond  of  music  than  himself. 


210 


MEMOIRS  OF  THE 


and  especially  in  its  application  to  devotional  purposes.  Such 
is  the  professed  object  of  Oratorios  ;  and  the  sublime  composi- 
tions of  those  great  masters  in  this  science,  Handel  and  Haydn, 
certainly  carry  its  powers  to  almost  the  highest  degree  of  per- 
fection. The  principle  then,  itself,  in  its  pure  and  legitimate 
application,  must  ever  be  considered  as  subservient  to  the  inte- 
rests of  piety  It  is,  therefore,  the  abuse  of  this  principle,  and 
the  mode  in  which  Oratorios  are  generally  conducted,  that  exci- 
ted the  apprehensions  of  Mr.  Richmond,  as  to  their  possible  in- 
fluence on  his  own  children.  The  worldly  associations  con- 
nected with  what  is  otherwise  a  source  of  high  gratification  to  a 
scientific  and  devotional  mind,  constituted,  in  his  estimation,  an 
insuperable  objection  to  these  festivals.  As  a  diflference  of 
opinion  is  known  to  exist  in  the  religious  world  on  this  subject, 
we  feel  happy  in  exhibiting  Mr.  Richmond's  sentiments,  in  the 
following  letter  to  his  wife. 

"  My  very  dear  Mary, — The  approaching  grand  musical  fes- 
tival, to  be  held  at  Edinburgh,  about  the  same  week  with  that  at 
Northampton,  occasions  almost  daily  discussion  in  every  party 
where  we  are  visiting  ;  and  there  is  but  one  Reeling  amongst  all 
our  Christian  friends — that  no  serious  and  consistent  Christian 
will  go.  Mary,*  of  course,  hears  nothing  from  either  her  fa- 
ther's hps,  or  from  those  of  all  his  estimable  friends  on  this  side 
of  the  Tweed,  but  determined  objections  to  the  whole  plan,  its 
accompaniments,  its  gaiety,  its  dissipation,  its  ensnaring  cha- 
racter, and  its  inconsistency  with  every  principle  of  nonconfor- 
mity to  the  world.  Neither  she  nor  I  could  appear  again  in 
Scotland,  in  a  religious,  and  much  less  a  missionary  character, 
if  we  were  to  be  present  at  these  amusements.  How,  then, 
can  I  do  otherwise,  which  from  my  heart  I  sincerely,  seriously, 
and  deliberately  must,  than  condemn  the  same  thing,  as  it  con- 
cerns dear  F  . 

I  have  never  had  but  one  opinion  on  the  subject  of  these 
prostitutions  of  rehgion  and  music,  at  these  theatrical,  and,  as  I 
think,  unwarrantable  medleys.  I  wish  you  had  the  good  senti- 
ments of  dear  John  Newton,  on  the  public  Oratorio  of  the 
'  Messiah,'  at  hand.  I  deeply  lament  that  any,  who,  in  other 
respects,  so  justly  deserve  the  name  of  consistent  Christians, 
should  so  little  fathom  the  corruptions  of  their  own  hearts,  and 
be  so  insensible  to  the  dangerous  tendency  of  public  amuse- 
ments which  unite  all  the  levity  of  the  world  with  the  professed 

*  His  eldest  daughter,  who  accompanied  him  during  this  tour  to  Scotland. 


REV.  LEGH  RICHMOND. 


211 


:5aactity  of  religious  performances.  Think  not  that  I  blame  any 
one,  but  myself,  for  not  long  since  making  my  sentiments  on  this 
ensnaring  subject  better  known  to  those  so  near  and  dear  to  me. 
It  is  somewhat  singular,  that  I  should,  with  many  Christian 
friends  of  all  ranks  in  Edinburgh  and  Scotland,  be  making  a 
firm  stand  against  the  principle  and  the  practice  of  a  musical 
festival  held  here,  at  the  very  time  that  I  must  also  make  as  firm 
a  stand  against  the  same  thmg  in  the  South.  It  is  contrary  to 
every  feeling  I  can  entertain  on  the  subject.  We  have  forsworn 
all  these  things  on  principle  ;  and  what  is  religious  character 
and  credit  worth,  if  consistency  is  to  be  sacrificed  1  Numerous 
as  my  faults  and  errors  may  be,  I  hope  to  be  preserved  from 
ever  deliberately  consenting  that  my  children,  of  whatever  age, 
should  enter  into  societies,  intimacies,  or  what  I  deem  forbidden 
amusements,  so  as  to  wound  my  conscience. 

*'  I  write  with  the  most  afiectionate  feelings  of  a  husband,  a 
father,  and  a  Christian  ;  and  at  this  distance,  we  must  not  en- 
counter the  chance  of  reciprocal  uneasiness,  from  any  dubious 
discussion.  I  will  only  add,  that  I  have  not  the  least  objection 
to  dear  Mrs.  M.  knowing  my  whole  mind  on  the  subject,  which 
is,  and  has  been  for  many  years,  perfectly  decided.  God  will 
ever  bless  those  who  sacrifice  worldly  interest  to  pure  consci- 
entious motives  :  I  have  no  fears  on  that  head. 

"  Our  journey  is  very  active,  and  full  of  mercies.  I  conclude 
that  Mary  tells  you  of  the  beauties  and  kindness  of  Scotia. 
She  is  here  forming  truly  Christian  acquaintances  and  friend- 
ships. I  pray  for,  and  think  of  you  much.  God  bless  you ! 
Take  this  as  the  hearty  prayer  and  desire  of — Your  affectionate 

"  Legh  RiCH3IOND." 

i  The  same  subject  is  again  thus  resumed,  in  a  letter  addressed 
to  an  active  friend  of  the  Tract  Society  ; — 

I  can  truly,  deliberately,  and  conscientiously  add  to  the  testi- 
mony of  my  friend  Pellatt,  that  I  do  consider  the  ordinary  mu- 
sical festivals,  conducted  as  they  are,  amid  a  strange  medley  of 
wanton  confusion  and  most  impure  mixtures,  as  highly  delusive, 
fascinating,  and  dangerous  to  youth.  I  consider  the  Oratorio 
performances  in  churches,  as  a  solemn  mockery  of  God,  and 
forbidden  by  the  clear  principles  of  the  Gospel.  The  making 
the  most  sacred  and  solemn  subjects  which  heaven  ever  revealed 
to  man,  even  to  the  Passion  of  Christ  himself  on  the  cross,  a 
matter  for  the  gay,  critical,  undevout  recreation  of  individuals, 
who  avowedly  assemble  for  any  purpose  but  that  of  worship ; 


212 


MEMOIRS  OP  THE 


and  who,  if  they  did,  could  hardly  pretend  that  it  were  very 
practicable  in  such  company,  and  on  such  an  occasion,  I  do 
from  my  heart  beheve  to  be  highly  offensive  to  God.  Playhouse 
actors  and  singers  (frequently  persons  of  exceptionable  charac- 
ter,) are  hired,  supported,  applauded,  and  almost  idolized,  in 
these  exhibitions,  and  encouraged  to  persevere  in  their  immoral 
and  dangerous  profession.  Vice  rides  very  triumphantly  in  such 
proceedings.  I  am  happy  to  say,  that  in  ca>-e  of  the  festival  at 
Edinburgh,  none  of  the  serious  people,  either  ministers  or  lay- 
men, have  countenanced  it  with  their  presence  ;  excepting  two 
clergymen,  one  of  whom  left  the  Oratorio  in  the  midst  of  the 
performance,  shocked  and  confounded  at  the  abuse  of  holy 
things,  and  ashamed  of  being  found  there  ;  the  other  is  deemed 
by  all  his  brethren  to  have  acted  very  wrongly,  and  to  have 
countenanced  much  evil.  The  spirit  of  the  world,  the  pride  of 
life,  the  lust  of  the  eye,  all  enter  into  these  public  gaieties  ;  and 
their  false  pretensions  to  partial  sacredness,  only  render  them 
more  objectionable.  If  young  people  do  not  learn  this  lesson 
early,  they  will  greatly  suffer  in  all  hope  of  their  spirituality. 
The  less  they  may  now,  in  the  infancy  of  their  Christian  state, 
see  and  feel  this,  the  more  dangerous  it  is  to  yield  to  their  igno- 
rance and  inexperience.  What  is  morally  and  religiously  wrong, 
can  never  become  right  through  the  error  of  youth.  And  it 
would  be  a  strange  departure  from  every  moral  and  religious 
principle,  to  say — '  I  know  an  act  to  be  wrong  in  itself,  but  my 
child  has  not  grace  enough  to  see  it  as  I  do  ;  therefore,  I  may 
lawfully  permit  him  to  do  what  I  know  to  be  wrong.'  Would 
not  this  open  a  door  to  every  species  of  sin  and  error  l 

*'  As  to  examples  of  good  people  : — Sin  does  not  cease  to  be 
sin,  because  some  good  people  unhappily  fall  into  the  snares 
vvhich  the  great  enemy  of  souls  spreads  for  their  delusion.  It 
is,  and  it  shall  be  for  a  lamentation,  that  good  men  err  so  deplo-* 
rably,  and  thereby  countenance  what,  eventually,  their  princi- 
ples condemn,  and  what  they  may  some  day  have  deep  cause  to 
regret. 

*'  No  man  in  England  loves  music — sacred  music — better 
than  I  do  ;  therefore  my  sacrifice  to  principle  and  conscience  is 
far  greater  than  that  of  many  others.  I  ought  to  have  the 
greater  credit  for  my  self-denial ;  but  I  dare  not  countenance 
sin  and  danger,  because  it  is  clothed  in  the  bewitching  garb  of 
good  music  and  pretended  sanctity.  ^  Let  not  my  soul  come 
into  their  assembly  !'  Tender  and  affectionate  husband  and 
father,  as  I  hope  I  am,  however  I  sometimes  may  be  misappre- 
hended, and  consequently  sorry  to  interiere  with  the  comfort  of 


REV.  LEGH  RICHMOND. 


213 


those  most  near  and  dear  to  me  ;  yet  I  rejoice  from  my  heart, 
in  having  prevented  the  sanctioning  any  part  of  so  promiscuous 
and  unjustifiable  a  medley,  by  the  attendance  of  the  members  of 
my  dear  family  ;  and  they  will  one  day  thank  me.  When  the 
object  is  avowedly  an  act  of  worship,  all  is  right,  let  who  will 
sing  and  play ;  but  when  it  is  avowedly  an  act  of  amusement, 
religion,  rightly  felt  and  understood,  forbids  the  profane  per- 
formance of  singing-men  and  singing-women,  trifling  with  the 
things  that  belong  to  our  everlasting  peace,  and  turning  them 
into  mockery." 

Leaving  these  remarks  to  the  judgment  and  conscience  of 
the  reader,  we  now  return  to  the  course  of  our  narrative. 

Allusions  have  been  made,  in  a  preceding  part  of  this  Memoir, 
to  Mr.  llichmond's  mother.  Her  maternal  care  in  the  days  of 
his  childhood,  her  early  endeavours  to  instil  into  his  mind  the 
principles  of  religion,  and  the  interest  she  manifested  in  some 
of  the  subsequent  events  of  his  history,  have  been  incidentally 
mentioned.  She  died  in  the  beginning  of  the  year  1819.  But 
before  we  enter  upon  the  account  of  her  decease,  we  shall  in- 
troduce a  brief  memoir,  from  the  pen  of  3Ir.  Richmond,  in 
which  the  historv  of  his  family  is  so  interwoven  with  his  own 
earlier  years,  as  to  form  a  kind  of  episode,  which  we  have  no 
doubt  will  interest  the  reader  by  the  simple  and  affecting  charac- 
ter of  its  details.  It  is  addressed  to  his  children,  as  a  memorial 
of  the  virtues  of  his  mother ;  while  his  execution  of  it  is  no  less 
the  memorial  of  his  own. 

This  httle  piece  will  appropriately  form,  by  itself,  the  subject 
of  our  next  chapter. 


CHAPTER  Xni. 

Tribute  of  affectionate  veneration  for  the  memorij  of  a  de- 
ceased jMother  ; — in  a  series  of  Letters  to  his  Children.  By 
the  Rev.  Legh  Richmond." 

LETTER  L 

My  beloved  Children, — The  affecting  summons  which  I  so 
lately  and  unexpectedly  received,  to  pay  the  last  act  of  duty  and 
love  to  the  remains  of  my  invaluable  and  revered  parent,  has  im- 
pressed my  mind  with  a  strong  desire  to  leave  some  memorial 
of  her  character,  for  your  sakes,  and  for  your  instruction. 

19 


214 


MEMOIRS  OF  THE 


"  I  am  just  returned  from  the  grave  of  one  whom  a  thousand 
tender  recollections  endeared  to  every  faculty  of  my  soul :  and 
I  wish  to  preserve  something  of  that  solemnity  of  feeling  and 
gratitude  of  heart,  which  such  a  scene  was  calculated  to  inspire. 
How  can  I  better  do  this,  than  by  endeavouring  to  convey  those 
emotions  to  your  bosoms,  through  the  medium  of  an  epistolary 
communication,  devoted  to  an  affectionate  retrospect  of  the  cha- 
racter and  disposition  of  the  deceased  (  I  feel  myself,  as  it 
were,  a  debtor  to  two  generations,  between  whom  I  now  stand, 
as  the  willing,  though  feeble  and  unworthy  agent  by  whom  bene- 
fits and  consolations,  derived  from  the  one,  n/ay  be  transferred 
for  the  lasting  advantage  of  the  other.  The  solid  character  of 
her  religious  principles,  the  superiority  of  her  mental  attain- 
ments, and  the  singularly  amiable  deportment  by  which  she  was 
distinguished,  constitute  powerful  claims  to  your  regard.  11  any 
additional  plea  were  needed,  I  would  derive  it  from  the  deep  and 
atfectiduate  interest  which  she  took  in  whatever  concerned  your 
welfare,  both  spiritual  and  temporal ;  from  the  prayers  which 
she  daily  offered  up  to  the  throne  of  mercy,  for  your  happiness  ; 
and  from  the  unceasing  watchfulness  and  anxiety  which  she 
manifested  for  your  progress  in  every  good  word  and  work. 

"  Although  she  was  far  separated  from  you,  by  the  distance  of 
her  residence  from  our  own,  and  the  opportunities  of  personal 
intercourse  were  thereby  greatly  restricted  ;  yet  her  most  tender 
and  sacred  affections  were  ever  near  to  me  and  mine.  We  oc- 
cupied her  daily  thoughts  and  her  nightly  meditations  ;  and  now 
that  she  is  gone  to  rest,  and  her  heart  can  no  longer  beat  with 
mortal  anxieties,  it  is  highly  becoming  that  we  who  loved  her, 
and  whom  she  so  ardently  loved,  should  give  a  consistency  to 
our  ^.ffection  for  such  a  parent,  by  a  grateful  inquiry  into  those 
qualities  of  head  and  heart  with  which  God  so  eminently  blessed 
her. 

"  There  is  a  solitary  tree,  underneath  which,  by  her  own  de- 
sire, she  lies  buried,  in  Lancaster  church-yard.  I  feel  a  wish, 
if  I  may  be  allowed  for  a  moment  to  employ  the  imagery,  to 
pluck  a  branch  from  this  tree  that  waves  over  her  tomb,  to  trans- 
plant it  into  my  own  domestic  garden,  and  there  behold  it 
flourish,  and  bring  forth  '  fruit  unto  holiness.'  I  would  gladly 
encourage  a  hope  that  this  wish  may  be  realized  in  you,  my  chil- 
dren, and  that  such  intercourse  with  the  dead  may  indeed  prove 
a  blessing  to  the  living. 

"  But  this  can  be  expected  only  in  dependence  on  the  free 
and  undeserved  mercy  of  that  God  and  Saviour,  in  whom  your 
venerable  grandmother  trusted,  and  *  whom  to  know  is  life  eter- 


REV.  LEGH  RICHMOND. 


215 


ual.'  Whatever,  therefore,  of  domestic  narrative  ;  whatever  of 
earnest  exiiortation  to  yourselves  ;  or  whatever  of  remark  upon 
the  interesting  qualities  of  the  subject  of  this  memoir  may  inter- 
mingle with  my  present  address, — keep  invariably  in  mind,  that 
my  great  object,  as  it  concerns  her,  and  you,  and  my&eif,  is  to 
give  glory  to  God  alone  ;  and  in  the  deepest  humiliation  of 
heart,  to  look  up  to  ii\m  as  the  sole  fountain  ol'  excellence. 

In  addressia^  you  on  such  a  subjei  t,  iny  children,  it  is  natu- 
ral that  1  should  reflect  on  the  varieties  of  age  and  circumstance 
in  svhich  you  are  placed.  Even  in  point  oi  your  nuiuber,  I  can 
hardly  pronounce  it  without  some  degree  of  fear  and  trembling. 
Ten  immortal  souls  ! — souls  allied  to  my  own,  by  ties  inexpres- 
sibly tender,  and  inviolably  dear, — souls  committed  to  my  charge, 
not  only  as  a  minister,  but  a  parent.  '  Who  is  sufficient  for  these 
things  ?'  has  been  the  secret  cry  of  many  a  minister  and  many  a  pa- 
rent. In  each  of  these  relations,  I  wish  to  apply  that  divine  pro- 
mise to  my  heart,  our  '  sufficiency  is  of  God.'  I  have  long  cherish- 
ed a  hope,  founded  on  another  gracion.-  intimation  ot  His  will  to 
those  who  love  and  fear  him — '  The  promise  is  unto  you  and  to 
your  children,  and  to  all  that  are  afar  off,  even  as  many  as  the 
Lord  our  God  shall  call.'    Supported  by  these  consolations,  it 

[  has  been  my  aim  to  bring  you  up  in  the  nurture  and  admonition 
of  the  Lord,  and  to  train  up  my  children  in  the  right  w  ay  ;  trust- 
ing, that  if  they  live  to  be  old,  they  will  not  depart  from  it.  Yet 
sometimes  the  anxious  fear,  connected  with  a  survey  of  the 

I  world  in  which  you  are  placed — its  vanities  and  its  vices — its 
delusions  and  its  danjjers,  will  force  itse'f  on  my  thoughts.  I 
have  lived  to  see,  in  other  families,  some  of  their  buds  of  promise 
blighted,  through  the  baneful  and  infectious  influence  of  corrupt 
associations.    1  have  seen  what  havoc  the  pomps  and  vanities  of 

i  this  wicked  world,  the  sinful  lusts  ot  the  flesh,  and  the  wiles  of 
the  devil,  have  made  in  many  a  household.  I  have  witnessed 
the  sorrows,  and  minaled  mine  with  the  tears  of  my  friends, 
when  they  have  spoken  of  the  wanderings  and  misconduct  of 
some  of  their  children  :  and  then,  I  have  occasionally  trembled 
for  my  own  little  flock.    But  I  feel  it,  at  the  same  time,  to  be 

I  both  my  privilege  and  my  duty  to  use  this  very  solicitude  for  a 
higher  and  nobler  purpose  than  despondency  and  unbelief  would 
suggest.  These  anxious  aftections  are  planted  in  the  parental 
heart,  and  manifestly  ordained  of  God,  as  incentives  to  caution 
and  stimulants  to  prayer.  As  such,  I  would  employ  them  for 
your  sakes  ;  I  ^vould  hereby  the  more  assiduously  teach  you  to 
*  abhor  that  which  is  evil,  and  cleave  to  that  which  is  good  :'  and 

1  above  all,  I  would,  with  the  more  earnestness  and  dependence 


216 


MEMOIRS  OF  THE 


on  the  covenant  grace  of  God,  present  your  mortal  and  immor- 
tal interests,  in  supplication,  to  Hi?n  who  hath  said,  '  the  promise 
is  unto  you  and  your  children,  and  to  all  that  are  afar  off,  as 
many  as  the  Lord  shall  call.' 

"And  surely,  I  may  be  allowed  to  urge  an  excuse  for  dwelhng 
upon  this  text,  even  in  a  way  of  literal  application.  For  you, 
my  first-born  child,  are  indeed  '  afar  off;'  and  these  pages  may 
much  more  easily  reach  you,  amongst  your  uncertam  journeyings 
on  the  shores  or  the  waves  of  India,  than  they  can  ever  convey  an 
adequate  idea  of  the  exercises  of  varied  affection,  which  your 
eventful  history  has  occasioned  us. 

"  Next  to  your  immediate  parents,  no  one  felt  so  deeply  on 
your  account  as  my  deceased  mother.  Her  prayers  and  good- 
wishes  were  mingled  with  our  own,  when  we  first  committed 
you  to  the  vicissitudes  of  the  ocean,  and  the  mariner's  lot ; — 
and  the  above-named  promise  was  her  support,  as  well  as  ours. 

"  As  I  stood  on  the  shores  of  the  Isle  of  Wight  in  the  sum- 
mer of  1814,  and  watched  the  departure  of  the  ship  which  con- 
tained my  child,  with  a  father's  eye  and  a  father's  heart,  1  mused 
over  the  past,  the  present,  and  the  future,  until  the  shadows  of 
the  night  interrupted  my  view.  One  moment  suggested,  *  my 
poor  child  will  soon  be  afar  ojf  ,•'  the  next,  as  it  were,  replied, 
but  '  the  promise  is  unto  you  and  to  your  children,  and  to  as 
many  as  are  afar  off.''  The  thought  consoled  me  as  I  retujned 
homeward,  and  I  prayed  for  my  little  ones,  that  God  would, 
*  speak  peace  to  you  which  were  afar  off,  and  to  them  that  were 
nigh.' 

"  And  then,  again,  my  son,  when  during  the  following  year  we 
received  the  dismal  tidings  of  the  wreck  of  your  ship,  and  the 
destruction  of  nearly  all  her  crew,  on  the  coast  of  Africa,*  as 
she  returned  on  her  voyage  from  Ceylon,  when  amongst  the  six 
persons  whom  alone,  out  of  360,  Providence  saved  from  death, 
we  found  not  your  name,  we  seemed,  in  this  valley  of  the  shadow^ 
of  death,  more  than  ever  to  need  the  rod  and  the  staff  of  the 
great  Shepherd  to  comfort  us.  At  that  trying  period  the  same 
promise  came  to  our  aid,  and  we  felt  its  consoling  influence  ; 
while,  like  Aaron,  when  his  sons  were  dead,  we  held  our  peace. 
And  when  afterwards  it  pleased  G;od,  in  the  mystery  of  his  mer^ 
cies,  to  discover  to  us  our  mistake,  and  to  prove  to  us  that  you 
had  no  part  in  the  horrors  of  this  watery  grave,  it  did  indeed  seem 
once  more  fulfilled — '  this  my  son  was  dead  and  is  alive  again  ; 
he  was  lost  and  is  found.' 

+  Off  Cape  LaguU^s. 


REV.  LEGH  RICHMOND. 


217 


*'  During  these  transitions  of  feeling,  I  cannot  express  how 
much  the  truly  scriptural  communication  of  sentiments  and 
counsel,  which  we  received  from  my  now  deceased  parent,  con- 
tributed to  the  encouragement  of  faith,  and  patience,  and  gra  »•- 
tude.  From  that  period  till  her  death,  the  welfare  of  my  child 
*  afar  ofT'continued  to  lay  very  near  to  her  heart.  '  What  news 
from  India  V  was  her  frequent  inquiry,  and  always  accompanied 
by  the  interesting  tear  of  maternal  soHcitude.  To  you,  there- 
fore, as  the  eldest  of  my  dear  tilial  flock,  I  may,  with  due  ear- 
nestness, first  commend  this  '  tribute  of  affectionate  veneration 
for  the  memory  of  my  deceased  mother.' 

"  She  was  a  faithful  mother  to  us  all  ;  and  I  wish  her  memory 
to  be  enshrined  in  the  grateful  recollection  of  your  heart.  If 
these  lines  are  ever  permitted  to  meet  your  perusal,  my  son, 
cherish  them  for  her  sake  and  mine. 

From  India,  I  turn  to  my  nine  children  at  home  ;  and 
greet  you  with  a  father's  blessing,  as  I  present  3^ou  with  these 
domestic  meditations,  which  I  write  for  the  sake  of  those  of  you 
who  have  enjoyed  the  opportunity  of  occasional  intercourse 
with  the  subject  of  the  memoir,  as  well  as  of  those  whom  cir- 
cumstances never  permitted  to  know  her.  I  anticipate  the  time 
when  even  my  last  born,  the  babe  that  cannot  yet  lisp  the  ho- 
noured name  of  *  grandmother,'  shall  not  be  ignorant  of  her 
worth,  but  shall  love  to  listen  to  the  record  of  those  gracious 
affections  with  which  God  was  pleased  to  adorn  her  ;  and  per- 
haps, on  some  future  day,  when  visiting  the  grave  where  she  is 
laid,  may  say,  '  here  lies  one,  whom  from  my  cradle  I  was 
taught  to  love  and  honour.' 

"  But,  whilst  I  am  enumerating  '  the  olive  branches  which 
surround  my  table,'  and  'the  children  whom  God  hath  given  me,' 
I  suddenly  feel  as  if  I  had  erred  in  my  calculations.  Is  there 
no  link  of  connexion  between  the  visible  and  invisible  worlds  1 
no  right  of  appropriation  by  which  an  earthly  parent  may  say  *  I 
have  a  child  in  heaven  ] '  Yes  ;  a  sweet  little  cherub  in  the 
mansions  above  seems  to  my  imagination  to  be  the  very  link 
which  faith  and  love  would  employ  to  animate  all  the  energies  of 
my  best  affections,  when  I  look  at  my  still  living  children,  and 
contemplate  their  immortal  condition. 

"  One  of  you,  my  eleven  children,  is  in  glory, — a  lamb,  safely 
and  eternally  folded  in  the  arms  of  his  Redeemer.  He  is  the 
first  of  my  household  that  has  gone  to  his  rest.  May  he  prove 
a  pledge  for  many  to  follow  him  there,  in  God's  own  time.  In 
the  mean  time,  cherish  it  in  your  frequent  remembrance,  as  an 
argument  for  heavenly-mindedness,  that  one  of  you  is  already  in 

19* 


218 


MEMOIRS  OF  THE 


heaven.  I  may  not,  indeed,  now  address  myself  to  him  ;  but  I 
may  speak  of  him  to  you  :  I  may  remind  you  of  his  epitaph, 
and  of  the  Paradise  to  which  he  belongs.  I  may  also  thus  pre- 
serve the  sense  of  kindred  alliance  between  the  dead  and  the 
living  of  my  family,  and  ardently  pray  for  the  perfect  and  eternal 
re-union  of  thern  all,  through  grace,  in  '  the  house  not  made 
with  hands,  eternal  in  the  heavens.'  Such  likewise  were  the 
supplications  of  her  who  through  faith  and  patience  is  gone  to 
inherit  the  promises,  and  to  join  our  own  little  infant  in  singing 
hallelujahs  '  to  Him  that  sitteth  upon  the  throne,  and  unto  the 
Lamb.' 

In  the  cherished  anticipation  of  such  results,  from  the  free 
and  undeserved  mercies  of  redemption,  I  will  conclude  the 
present  letter,  by  subscribing  myself — Your  affectionate  father, 

"  Legh  Richmond." 

LETTER  II. 

"  My  dear  Children, — In  this  endeavour  to  delineate  a  short 
sketch  of  the  life  of  your  deceased  grandmother,  it  seems 
necessary  that  I  should  give  you  some  little  information  respect- 
ing her  parentage  and  ancestry.  There  is  a  kind  of  pleasing 
melancholy  in  recurring  to  times  now  long  past,  and  to  former 
generations,  endeared  to  recollection  by  kindred  ties,  to  which  I 
cannot  feel  wholly  insensible.  A  number  of  letters,  papers, 
and  documents,  connected  with  the  early  circumstances  of  my 
dear  mother's  life,  and  of  her  more  immediate  relatives  and 
ancestors,  lie  before  me.  While  I  peruse  them,  I  seem  to  be 
translated  to  a  former  age  ;  and  to  realize  once  more  scenes  and 
associations  which  can  only  thus  be  revived.  They  bring  to  my 
recollection  the  friends  of  my  own  infancy  long  since  dead,  and 
the  various  domestic  relations  and  events  of  which  they  loved  to 
speak.  I  would  not  set  a  higher  value  on  such  things  than  they 
deserve  ;  nor  would  I  put  the  mortal  genealogies  of  earth  in 
even  a  momentary  competition  with  the  alliance  of  '  the  family 
of  heaven.'  Yet,  in  tracing  the  personal  history  of  those  whom 
God  is  pleased  to  honour  with  spiritual  blessings,  an  interest 
may  lawfully  be  excited  by  a  variety  of  minor  circumstances, 
which  are  necessary  to  the  connexion  of  the  story ;  and  may  lead 
to  profitable  considerations,  when  viewed  as  the  links  of  that 
chain  m  Providence,  by  which  the  Almighty  Father  upholds  the 
destinies  of  his  children,  and  confirms  the  counsels  of  his  will 
repsecting  them. 

«  My  mother  was  born  at  Liverpool,  in  the  year  1736.  Her 


REV.  LEGH  RICHMOND. 


219 


parents  were  descended  from,  and  nearly  related  to,  several  an- 
cient and  respectable  families  in  the  counties  of  Lancaster  and 
Chester.  Her  father,  John  Atherton,  Esq.,  of  Walton  Hall, 
near  Liverpool,  was  descended  from  a  younger  branch  of  the 
Athertons,  of  Atherton  in  the  former  county,  who  settled  at 
Preston.  Of  his  character,  I  have  frequently  heard  my  mother 
speak  with  affectionate  veneration.  More  particularly,  she 
used  to  give  me  an  account  of  a  behaviour  and  conversation  on 
his  death-bed,  which  seemed  to  bear  the  characteristics  of  true 
Christian  faith  and  hope.  '  I  am,'  said  he,  '  an  unworthy  sinner, 
but  I  know  in  whom  I  have  believed.  I  have  nothing,  nothmg 
of  my  own  ;  but  Christ  is  every  thing.  My  daughter,  the  com- 
forts of  dying  rest  not  in  the  poor  merits  of  man,  but  in  the  sure 
mercies  of  God.' 

"  Such  were  a  few  of  the  expressions  which  frequently  es- 
caped from  his  lips,  till  his  eyes  peacefidly  closed  in  death. 
Such  traditional  memorials  should  be  valued  amongst  us  that 
remain  ;  and  may,  by  God's  blessing,  prove  incentives  to  follow 
those  who  through  faith  and  patience  are  gone  before  to  inherit 
the  promises. 

"  Her  mother  was  the  daughter  of  Sylvester  Richmond, 
Esq.,*  of  Acton  Grange,  in  the  county  of  Chester,  by  Frances 
Elizabeth,  daughter  of  Sir  Richard  Brook,  of  Norton  Priory, 
Baronet,  who  died  in  1710. 

"  Her  mind,  at  a  very  early  period,  exhibited  a  strong  incli- 
nation to  the  study  of  the  best  authors.  She  was  well  versed 
in  the  historians,  essayists,  and  poets  of  her  own  country,  and 
read  the  French  language  with  fluency.  Her  memory,  even  at 
the  advanced  age  of  eighty-three,  was  well  stored  with  the  ju- 
diciously-selected reading  of  her  younger  years.  She  pos- 
sessed a  naturally  strong  judgment,  and  examined  with  accu- 
racy the  sentimients  and  the  style  of  every  book  which  she  read. 
At  a  period  when  female  education  was,  with  but  few  excep- 
tions, very  feebly  directed  to  the  cultivation  of  general  and  use- 
ful literature  ;  when  tne  romance  and  the  cookery  book  were 
too  frequently  esteemed  to  be  the  chief  requisites  of  a  lady's  li- 
brary— Miss  Atherton  was  a  constant  student  in  almost  every 
branch  of  such  learmng,  as,  even  in  this  more  cultivated  age, 
would  be  deemed  advantageous  and  interesting  to  the  female 

*  This  Sylvester  Richmond  was  the  son  of  Dr.  Sylvester  Richmond,  wlio 
settled,  and  practised  very  successfully  as  a  physician,  in  the  town  of  Liverpool, 
during  the  reign  of  Charles  II.  His  father  was  Oliver  Richmond,  Esq.  of 
Ashton  Keynes,  in  the  county  of  Wilts,  on  wliich  estate  his  ancestors  had  suc- 
cessively resided  from  the  time  of  the  Conquest- 


220 


MEMOIRS  OF  THE 


mind.  In  this  she  was  encouraged  by  both  her  parents,  who 
well  understood  and  highly  valued  the  proper  cultivation  of  the 
understanding,  through  the  medium  of  useful  literature. 

"  But  vvith  these  attainments  there  was  no  display,  no  pe- 
dantry, no  conceit.  If  ever  there  was  a  disposition  marked  by 
true  feminine  modesty  and  humility,  it  was  her  own.  She  tho- 
roughly fulfilled  the  apostolic  injunction,  '  in  honour  preferring 
one  another.'  Others,  indeed,  knew  her  value  ;  but  she  ever 
undervalued  herself.  Although  domestic  and  retired  in  her' ha- 
bits, yet  she  mingled  with  and  adorned  a  most  respectable  cir- 
cle of  relatives  and  friends,  among  whom  she  was  justly  es- 
teemed as  an  improving  and  amiable  companion. 

"  From  her  childhood  she  entertained  a  deep  reverence  for 
the  holy  Scriptures,  and  had  a  strong  tincture  of  piety  in  her 
disposition.  She  read  many  valuable  authors  on  religious  sub- 
jects :  and  though  not  at  all  times  equally  favoured  with  oppor- 
tunities of  Christian  intercourse,  which  daily  experience  proves 
to  be  so  requisite  for  decision  of  character,  yet  her  heart  was 
ever  directed  with  firmness  and  affection  towards  serious  sub- 
jects, which  produced  a  conscientious  integrity  of  mind,  distin- 
guishable in  her  whole  deportment.  In  the  latter  period  of  her 
life,  to  which  I  shall  soon  «lirect  your  chief  attention,  she  has 
confessed  to  me  that  defective  views  of  some  primary  points 
of  Christian  doctrine  pervaded  her  former  religious  sentiments. 
She  most  sincerely  relied  on  the  atonement  of  Christ ;  but  at 
that  period  had  imperfect  views  of  the  fulness  and  sufficiency 
of  his  work.  She  had  acquired  very  humbling  views  of  herself 
as  a  sinner  ;  yet  these  were  not  unmixed  with  error  and  indis- 
tinctness, with  regard  to  the  plan  of  divine  acceptance.  The 
commonly  received  divinity  of  that  day,  and  the  usual  discourses 
of  the  pulpit,  were  lamentably  defective  in  many  grand  essentials 
of  Christian  faith.  The  spiritual  truths  of  the  ©ospel,  and  the 
fundamental  prmciples  of  the  Reformation,  were  generally  veiled 
under  a  system  of  ethics,  which  however  pure  and  correct,  as  a 
part  of  the  great  scheme  of  revelation ;  yet,  when  substituted 
for  the  whole,  loses  its  own  intrinsic  value,  while  it  robs  the  Re- 
deemer of  his  honour,  and  the  sinner  of  his  hope. 

"  Under  external  disadvantages  of  this  nature,  it  is  an  inte- 
resting subject  of  investigation  to  trace  the  secret  and  gradual 
progress  of  the  mind  of  a  sincere  and  humble  inquirer  after 
truth,  through  the  different  stages  of  its  advancement. 

There  were  two  circumstances  which  greatly  contributed 
to  strengthen  and  direct  her  judgment  £uid  affections  in  rehgious 
(concerns.    Her  mother's  own  brother,  the  Rev.  Legh  Rich- 


REV.  LEGH  RICHMOND. 


221 


mond,  who  was,  first,  vicar  of  Garstang,  near  Lancaster,  and 
afterwards  rector  of  Stockport,  in  Cheshire,  was  educated  and 
prepared  for  the  ministry  by  Dr.  Thomas  Wilson,  bishop  of  So- 
dor  and  Man.  The  venerable  and  apostohcal  character  of  this 
insular  prelate  was  by  this  connexion,  brought  more  immediately 
under  Miss  At^erton's  notice.  She  also  saw  much  of  a  similar 
disposition  ui  the  conduct  and  mmistry  of  his  pupil,  her  uncle. 
'  Bishop  Wilson,'  to  use  the  language  of  his  biographer,  '  was 
a  man  of  most  exemplary  piety,  charity,  and  all  Christian 
graces,  who  continued  for  the  long  course  of  fifty-seven  years, 
to  perform  all  the  offices  of  a  good  bishop  and  a  good  man.' 
His  writmgs,  and  particularly  his  manual  of  devotion,  entitled 
*  Sacra  Privata,'  were  much  esteemed  by.  and  rendered  very 
useful  to  her.  These  benefits  were  greatly  increased  by  inter- 
course with  her  uncle,  whose  disposition,  attainments,  and  con- 
duct in  the  ministry  not  a  little  resembled  those  of  his  excellent 
tutor. 

My  dear  mother  always  spoke  with  peculiar  gratitude  and 
veneration  of  the  advantages  which  she  received  from  the  in- 
structions and  conversations  of  this  relative.  Her  subsequent 
marriage  with  his  son,  my  late  honoured  father,  Henry  Rich- 
mond, M.  D.,  naturally  conduced  to  increase  those  sentiments 
of  respect  and  regard  which  she  had  previously  entertained,  and 
rendered  every  valuable  feature  in  his  domestic  and  ministerial 
character  doubly  dear. 

"  Another  circumstance  connected  with  the  early  period  of 
her  life,  to  which  I  have  frequently  heard  her  revert,  and  of  which 
I  find  among  her  papers  some  valuable  memorials,  was  her  in- 
timate acquaintance  with  a  near  relative,  the  late  Henry  Corn- 
wall Legh,  Esq.,  of  High  Legh,  in  the  county  of  Chester.  This 
gentleman  had  formed  a  valuable  intercourse  with  the  late  Lord 
Dartmouth  aiidl^me  of  his  friends,  through  whom  he  had  been 
led  into  remarkably  solid  and  serious  views  of  the  great  import- 
ance of  real  religion.  I  have  often  heard  my  mother  observe, 
4hat  of  all  the  acquaintances  of  her  own  age,  during  her  earlier 
years,  there  was  none  with  whom  she  found  so  much  conge- 
niality of  mind,  upon  religious  topics,  as  Mr.  Legh.  Frequent 
visits  which  she  made  to  the  family  at  High  Legh,  afforded  op- 
portunities of  useful  conversation  with  her  relative.  I  am  now 
in  possession  of  two  manuscripts  on  sacred  subjects,  given  to 
my  mother  by  Mr.  Legh,  to  which  she  attached  great  value,  and 
of  which  she  spoke,  to  the  end  of  her  life,  as  a  means  of  guiding 
her  mind  into  clearer  views  of  divine  truth  than  any  human  com- 
position which  she  had  previously  read.    As  I  consider  these 


222 


MEMOIRS  OF  THE 


papers  to  be  estimable  for  their  own  sake,  as  well  as  that  of  my 
mother  and  her  friend  Mr.  Leo;h.  i  vvill  annex  part  of  them  to 
this  memorial,  and  indulge  a  hope  that  her  grandchildren  may- 
profit  by  the  same  channel  of  instruction  which,  at  a  former  pe- 
riod, was  instrumental  to  the  spiritual  attainments  of  the  de- 
ceased. 

"  I  have  hitherto  been  speaking  of  that  portion  of  my  dear 
parent's  life  which  was  prior  to  my  own  birth.  I  shall,  in  my 
next  letter,  write  more  immediately  from  my  own  recollection 
and  experience.  I  wish  you  to  profit  by  this  simple  domestic 
narrative.  I  feel  that  I  owe  it  to  God,  to  my  children,  and  to 
my  departed  mother,  that  you  should  become  better  acquainted 
with  her  now  that  she  is  dead,  than  circumstances  permitted 
while  living." 

******* 

LETTER  III. 

In  the  year  1771,  Miss  Atherton  was  married  to  her  cousin, 
Dr.  Henry  Richmond,  the  only  son  of  the  Rev.  liOgh  Rich- 
mond. His  mother  was  the  daughter  of  Henry  Legh,  Esq.,  of 
High  Legh,  in  Cheshire,  by  l^etitia,  another  d  iughter  of  Sir 
Richard  Brook,  Bart.,  of  Norton.  Dr.  Richmond  was  edu- 
cated at  the  grammar  school  in  Macclesfield,  under  the  care  of 
the  Rev.  Mr.  Atkinson.  He  was  entered  at  Trinity  College, 
Cambridge,  in  the  year  1759,  and  was  elected  fellow  of  that 
society  in  1766.  He  was  originally  intended  for  the  sacred  mi- 
nistry, and  his  father  had  considerable  hopes,  at  one  peri(»d,  of 
obtaining  the  rectory  of  Stockport  for  him ;  but  in  consequence 
of  the  failure  of  his  expectations  in  that  point,  a  change  took 
place  in  regard  to  the  profession  which  he  adonted,  and  he  ap- 
plied himself  to  the  study  of  physic.  .Jp 

^'  Not  long  after  the  death  of  his  father,  which  took  place  in 
1769,  Dr.  Richmond  settled  as  a  physician  in  the  town  of  Liver- 
pool. At  this  period  Miss  Atherton  resided  with  her  mothepj 
now  a  widow,  in  St.  Paul's  Square,  in  the  same  town.  A  con- 
geniality of  principles  and  dispositions,  founded  upon  many  va- 
luable qualifications  of  mind,  whi<  h  they  each  possessed ;  and 
an  esteem,  strengthened  by  the  kindred  intimacy  of  the  families 
from  their  very  infancy,  led  to  that  union  which  took  place  in 
1771.    Her  younger  sister  Elizabeth  was  nearly  at  the  same 

time  married  to  Michael  Xugent,  Esq.,  of  ,  in  Ireland,  a 

first-cousin  to  the  late  Earl  Nugent.  Mrs.  Atherton  continued 
to  live  with  Dr.  and  Mrs.  Richmond  till  her  death,  which  did  not 


REV.  LEGH  RICHMOND. 


223 


rake  place  till  about  sixteen  years  after  the  marriage  of  her 
daughters.  I  am  the  more  minute  in  relatmg  these  family  oc- 
currences to  you,  my  children,  because  I  am  a>vare  that  it  is  the 
only  channel  through  which  you  are  likely  to  obtain  them.  The 
lapse  of  time,  the  distance  and  dispersion  of  some  relatives, 
and  the  deaths  of  many  others,  gradually  throw  a  veil  over  a  va- 
riety of  occurrences  and  connexions,  the  remembrance  of  which, 
to  a  certain  extent,  I  wish  you  to  preserve. 

"  We  know  not  by  what  peculiar  links  in  the  chain  of  provi- 
dence and  grace,  it  may  please  God  to  promote  our  best  and 
deare:-t  interests;  but,  among  others.  I  would  cherish  the  hope, 
that  the  memorials  of  our  ancestry,  and  more  especially  of  such 
as,  in  their  generation,  loved  and  feared  His  holy  name,  may 
not  be  una\  ailing  to  their  posterity. 

^'  I  will  now  endeavour  to  lay  before  you  a  short  review  oi" 
what  I  may  call  the  second  peri(»d  of  your  grandmother's  life. 
Her  conduct  durmg  the  single  state,  as  a  daughter,  had  been  use- 
ful, affectionate,  dutiful,  and  domestic.  Such  daughters,  and 
such  alone,  are  calculated  to  exhibit  those  still  brighter  charac- 
teristics which  attach  to  the  subsequent  relations  of  the  wife  and 
the  mother.  Let  my  children  ever  remember,  that  in  the  ordi- 
nary course  of  the  progress  of  a  Christian  and  domestic  charac- 
ter, th^  seed  of  hope  is  planted  in  childhood,  and  the  hud  mani- 
fests its  first  beauty  and  fragrance  in  their  earlier  youth,  and 
thence  issues  that  more  expanded  foliage,  which  constitutes  the 
ornamental  features  of  their  more  advanced  condition.  There 
is  a  wise  and  beautiful  order  in  the  mode  and  manner  of  the  dis- 
pensations of  God's  grace. 

"  There  is  a  progressive  attainment  knowledge,  and  a 
growth  of  principle  in  the  hearts  of  such  as  He  is  training  up  in 
the  way  they  sfafluld  go,  which  successively  develope  as  the  in- 
fant advances  l^phildhood.  the  child  to  youth,  and  the  youth  to 
man.  There  is  a  preparation  of  heart  which  accompanies  this 
progressive  formation  of  character.  The  aflections  and  princi- 
ples of  action  wnich,  under  the  divine  bles,  ing,  have  been  fos- 
tered in  the  bosom  of  the  child,  to  the  turt'ierance  of  the  pa- 
rent's happiness,  and  the  general  welfare  of  the  domestic  circle, 
are  precisely  those  which  will  hereafter  constitute  the  solidity 
and  the  loveliness  of  the  nuptial  character.  The  difficulties  and 
the  trials  of  early  life  may  have  been  fewer  (mercifully,  perhaps, 
ordained  to  be  so  ;)  but  the  h^art  t^it  hi^  be-in  discipHned  in 
the  school  of  filial  obedience  and  afiection  is  thus  prepared  for 
future  usefulness,  and  for  the  trial  of  faith,  love,  and  patience,  in 
a  subsequently  acquired  relation. 


224 


MEMOIRS  OF  THE 


"  More  particularly  to  speak  of  the  female  character  : — sub- 
ject to  those  exceptions  which  the  unhmited  grace  of  the  Al- 
mighty is  sometimes  pleased  to  make  in  the  dispositions  of  indi- 
viduals at  a  more  advanced  period  of  life, — exceptions  which  in 
no  respect  form  a  rule  for  general  conclusions  ;  those  who,  in 
unaffected  sobriety  of  manners  and  simple  spirituality  of  heart, 
have  aimed  at  fulfilling  the  domestic  duties  of  the  daughter,  will 
ever  constitute  that  truly  honourable  class  of  women  whom 
Providence  appoints  to  sustain  the  more  arduous  characters  of 
the  Christian  wife  and  the  Christian  mother.  In  vain  shall  we 
look  for  characters  of  this  description  among  the  daughters  of 
folly  and  fashion.  Their  hearts  are  estranged  from  the  very 
principle  of  the  domestic  disposition.  Accustomed  to  the  re- 
peated indulgence  of  luxurious  inclinations,  their  volatile  desires 
are  ever  upon  the  wing  in  search  of  something  new  and  gay,  that 
may  satisfy  a  cravm  *  and  disordered  appetite  for  novelties.  They 
are  '  lovers  of  pleasure  more  than  lovers  of  God.'  But,  says 
the  same  apostle,  '  she  that  hvetluin  pleasure  is  dead  while  she 
liveth.'  Beware,  my  dear  daughters,  of  such  examples  ;  dread 
their  contagion,  and.  therefore,  shun  their  society.  Pray  that 
you  may  ever  be  preserved  from  the  ensnaring  influence  of  those 
pomps  and  vanities  of  the  world  which  you  have  solemnly  re- 
nounced in  your  baptism.  And  let  it  be  the  comfort  of  my  ad- 
vancing years  to  see  that  your  centre  of  attachment,  as  well  as 
duty,  is  at  home. 

"  Numberless  and  invaluable  are  the  ideas  which  connect 
with  that  one  word,  home.  May  you  and  I  so  cherish  them  by 
sacred  principle  on  earth,  that  we  may  be  feund  meet  for  a  better 
home  hereafter,  even  for  '  the  inheritance  of  the  saints  in  light.' 
My  dear  mother  had  been  educated  in  sentiments  truly  domes- 
tic ;  her  chosen  associates  were  of  a  simila^|character, — her 
parents  encouraged  them  for  conscience,  as  ^Jtk  for  comfort's 
sake.  Her  time  and  attention  had  been  from  nor  youth  upward, 
chiefly  directed  to  the  devotional  study  of  religious  truths,  the 
culture  of  useful  literature,  the  temperate  pursuit  of  the  elegant 
arts,  the  society  of  estimable  friends,  and  the  well-regulated 
plans  of  her  parent's  family.  In  the  midst  of  all,  she  lived  in 
constant  habits  of  prayer ;  and  this  consolidated  the  valuable 
qualities  of  her  mind,  and  gave  them  a  holy  tendency. 

"  With  dispositions  and  habits  thus  previously  formed.  Miss 
Atherton  entered  into  the  marriage  state.  The  following  year 
gave  birth  to  the  heart  that  dictates,  and  to  the  hand  that  guides 
my  pen. 


REV.  I^GH  RICHMOND. 


225 


May  I  not  be  allowed  to  pause  for  a  few  moments  over  the 
solemn  and  affecting  considerations  hereby  suggested.  I  have 
frequently  meditated  upon  the  subject  of  my  birth,  as  connected 
with  my  death  and  resurrection.  I  have  often  contemplated  the 
history  of  man,  through  its  eventful  course,  from  the  cradle  to 
the  grave  ;  and  endeavoured  to  make  the  practical  application 
to  myself.  But  I  think  I  never  felt  its  characteristic  importance 
so  powerfully,  or  at  least  so  affectingly,  as  when  I  committed  to 
the  grave  the  friend,  the  nurse,  the  protector,  the  guide  and  guar- 
dian of  my  helpless  infancy, — all  summed  up  in  the  endeared 
name  of  mother.  I  seemed  to  recall  the  time,  '  when  as  yet  I 
hanged  on  my  mother's  breast ;'  and  to  revert  to  the  tender 
anxieties  with  which  she  watched  over  her  first-born  child.  And 
now  a  few  short  years  are  rolled  away,  and  how  great  the  change ! 
The  eye  that  saw,  the  ear  that  heard,  the  tongue  that  encouraged, 
and  the  arm  that  upheld  the  babe  of  her  youth,  are  mouldering 
in  the  dust !  She  is  departed  hence,  and  is  no  more  seen  !  It 
is  my  prayer,  for  myself  and  my  loved  children,  that  we  may  so 
learn  '  to  number  our  days,  that  we  may  apply  our  hearts  unto 
wisdom.'  And  if  such  meditations  as  these  may,  through  grace, 
lead  us  to  see  more  of  the  vanity  of  the  earthly  state,  the  value 
of  time,  and  the  rapid  approach  of  eternity,  our  visit  to  the  tomb 
will  not  have  been  unprofitable. 

"  I  well  remember,  in  the  early  dawn  of  my  expanding  rea- 
son, with  what  care  she  laboured  to  instil  into  my  mind  a  sense 
of  the  being  of  God,  and  of  the  reverence  which  is  due  to  him  ; 
of  the  character  of  a  Saviour,  and  his  infinite  merits  ;  of  the 
duly  of  prayer,  and  the  manner  in  which  it  ought  to  be  of- 
fered up  at  the  throne  of  grace.  Her  way  of  enforcing  these 
subjects  was  like  one  who  felt  their  importance,  and  wished  her 
child  to  do  so  £^ wise.  F^'irst  instructed  by  her  to  read,  I  have 
not  forgotten^^^pny  Bible  lessons,  with  what  simplicity  and  pro- 
priety she  used  to  explain  and  comment  on  the  word  of  God,  its 
precepts,  and  examples.  These  infantine  catechetical  exerci- 
ses still  vibrate  in  my  recollections,  and  confirm  to  my  own  mind 
the  great  advantage  attendant  upon  the  earliest  possible  endea- 
vours to  win  the  attention,  and  store  the  memory  ivith  religious 
knowledge.  Her  natural  abilities,  wh'ch  were  of  a  superior 
character,  enabled  her  to  converse  with  a  very  little  child  with 
much  effect ;  and  there  was  a  tenderness  of  affection,  united  to 
a  firmness  of  manner,  which  greatly  promoted  the  best  interests 
of  a  nursery  education. 

"  My  mother  had  six  children,  three  of  whom  died  in  infancy. 
A  very  affecting  circumstance  accompanied  the  death  of  one  of 

20 


226 


MEMOIRS  OF  THE 


them,  and  was  a  severe  trial  to  hep. maternal  feelings.  Her  then 
youngest  child,  a  sweet  little  boy,  just  two  years  old,  was, 
through  the  carelessness  of  his  nurse,  precipitated  from  a  bed- 
room window  upon  the  pavement  beneath.  I  was  at  that  time 
six  years  of  age,  and  happened  to  be  walking  on  the  very  spot, 
when  the  distressing  event  occurred  :  I  was,  therefore,  the  first 
to  take  up,  and  deliver  into  our  agonized  mother's  arms,  the 
poor  little  sufferer.  The  head  was  fractured,  and  he  only  sur- 
vived the  fall  about  thirty  hours.  I  still  preserve  a  very  distinct 
and  lively  remembrance  of  the  struggle  between  the  natural 
feelings  of  the  mother,  and  the  spiritual  resignation  of  the  Chris- 
tian. She  passed  the  sad  interval  of  suspense  in  almost  con- 
tinual prayer,  and  found  God  a  present  help  in  time  of  trouble. 
Frequently,  during  that  day,  did  she  retire  with  me  ;  and,  as  I 
knelt  beside  her,  she  uttered  the  feelings  and  desires  of  her 
heart  to  God.  I  remember  her  saying,  '  If  I  cease  praying  for 
five  minutes,  I  am  ready  to  sink  under  this  unlooked-for  distress ; 
but  when  I  pray,  God  comforts  and  upholds  m<  ;  his  will,  not 
mine,  be  done.'  Once  she  said,  '  Help  me  to  pray,  my  child  : 
Christ  suffers  little  children  to  come  to  him,  and  forbids  them 
not, — say  something.'  *  What  shall  I  say,  mamma? — shall  I 
fetch  a  book  V  '  jS'ot  now,'  she  replied  :  'speak  from  your  heart; 
and  ask  God  that  we  may  be  reconciled  to  his  will,  and  bear  this 
trial  with  patience.' 

"  The  day  after  the  infant's  death,  she  took  me  to  the  bed  on 
which  my  little  brother  lay  ;  and  kneeling  down,  she  wept  for  a 
few  minutes  in  silence  ;  and  then  taking  his  cold  hand  in  one  of 
her's,  and  mine  in  the  other,  she  said — '  Lord,  if  it  had  not  been 
thy  good  pleasure,  it  had  not  been  thus.  Thy  will  be  done  !  I 
needed  this  heavy  trial,  to  shew  me  more  of  myself,  and  to  wean 
me  from  the  world.  Forgive  my  sins,  0  Godi^nd  let  me  not 
murmur.'  Then  looking  at  the  cherub  couHenance  of  her 
babe,  she  added — '  Thou  art  not  lost,  but  gone  before  me  !* 
She  then  put  his  hand  into  mine,  and  said — '  If  you  live  my 
child,  never  forget  this  ;  and  may  I  one  day  meet  you  both  in 
heaven !' 

"  I  have  dwelt  upon  this  part  of  my  dear  parent's  history  with 
the  more  minuteness,  because  she  has  frequently  told  me,  that  it 
was  not  only  the  greatest  shock  which  her  feelings  were  ever 
called  upon  to  sustain  ;  but  that  she  was  persuaded  it  was  over- 
ruled by  God  for  the  most  salutary  purpose,  as  it  concerned  the 
spiritual  discipline  of  her  own  heart.  To  the  end  of  her  life, 
she  wore  a  little  locket  attached  to  her  watch  :  it  contained  a 
yock  of  her  poor  little  Henry's  hair ;  and  she  often  looked  at  it, 


REV.  LEGH  RICHMOND. 


227 


and  spoke  of  it,  as  a  remembrance  of  God's  goodness  to  her, 
at  a  most  trying  season. 

"  These  things  occurred  at  Stockport,  when  we  were  on  a 
visit  to  my  father's  mother  and  sisters,  in  the  early  part  of  the 
year  1778.  The  recollection  of  what  I  have  related  is  still  clear 
and  impressive  on  my  mind. 

"  Xot  many  weeks  after  the  death  of  this  child,  my  father 
proposed  a  tour  into  Yorkshire,  Westmoreland,  Cumberland,  and 
Lancashire,  with  a  view  to  the  restoration  of  my  mothers  health 
and  spirits,  which  had  materially  suffered  from  her  distress  of 
mind.  A  journey  through  scenes  of  so  much  beauty  as  the 
mountains  and  lakes  of  that  district  afford,  was  rendered  pe- 
culiarly interesting  by  the  state  of  mind  in  which  it  was  under- 
taken. 

"  My  mother  had  a  correct  taste  for  landscape-scenery,  and 
loved  to  trace  the  hand  of  the  Creator  in  his  works.  She  had 
also  an  acquaintance  with  the  history,  antiquity,  and  biography 
of  her  country,  which  was  much  gratified  by  the  objerts,  both 
of  art  and  nature,  associated  with  them.  Her  memory  was  en- 
riched with  many  of  the  best  descriptive  passages  m  the  works 
of  the  poets,  and  she  was  able  to  quote  and  apply  them  to 
the  various  objects  which  presented  themseive-»  to  her  notice. 
My  father's  mind  was  perfectly  congenial  to  hers  in  these  things. 

"  Young  as  I  was  at  the  time,  I  feel  a  grateful  satisfaction  in 
retaining  so  much  as  1  do  of  the  scenes  through  which  we  passed, 
and  of  the  remarks  which  they  made,  in  conversation  upon 
them.  I  need  not  tell  you.  my  children,  how  great  a  source  of 
pleasure  I  myself  have  derived  from  the  contemplation  of  the 
beauties  of  landscape,  taken  in  connexion  with  its  associated 
circumstances,  jpd  more  especially  in  its  relation  to  the  hand 
that  formed  theS^ 

"  To  this  journey  in  my  childhood,  accompanied  as  it  was  by 
the  tender  anxiety  of  my  mother  in  particular,  to  direct  my  at- 
tention to  every  object  worthy  of  notice,  and  the  impressive 
manner  in  which  her  late  severe  trial  led  her  to  utter  her  senti- 
ments. I  ascribe  much  of  my  own  turn  of  mind,  as  associated 
with  the  works  of  nature.  Her  little  boy  was  permitted  to  ram- 
ble with  her  amongst  the  noble  scenery  of  Skiddaw  and  Hel- 
vellyn  ;  to  sail  on  the  smooth  expanses  of  Derwentwater  and 
Windermere  ;  and  to  have  his  wondering  eye  directed  by  her  to 
the  cataracts  of  Barrow  and  Lowdore.  He  was  allowed  to 
visit,  with  her,  the  minsters  of  Ripon  and  York,  the  ruins  of 
Fountains'  Abbey,  the  splendid  castle  of  Raby,  and  the  roman- 
tic course  of  the  Tees.    Amidst  the  whole,  she  did  not  forget 


228 


MEMOIRS  OF  THE 


to  teach  him  the  importance  of  treasuring  up  useful  information, 
cultivating  a  taste  for  the  wonders  of  nature  and  art,  and  of 
learning  how  much  it  is  the  Christian's  duty, 

*  To  look  through  nature,  up  to  nature's  God.' 

And  now,  when  no  longer  himself  a  little  boy,  but  a  father,  ^vri- 
ting  to  his  own  little  boys,  he  feels  a  kmdred  pleasure  in  endea- 
vouring to  excite  in  them  a  love  for  these  early  enjoyments  of  his 
own  childhood,  through  which  he  was  so  affectionately  led  by 
the  hand  and  the  heart  of  his  mother. 

"  In  the  year  1782,  my  father  quitted  his  residence  at  Liver- 
pool, and  settled  in  the  city  of  Bath,  where  he  practised  as  a 
physician  about  twenty-four  years.  As  it  is  my  intention  to 
write  to  you  principally  upon  what  I  have  seen  and  known  of 
my  mother,  during  the  latter  part  of  a  life  prolonged  to  nearly 
eighty-four  years  ;  and  as,  in  so  doing,  I  shall  have  occasion  to 
make  several  references  to  the  circumstances  that  preceded  this 
period,  I  shall  in  a  more  cursoiy  manner  speak  of  the  events  of 
her  domestic  history. 

"  Her  mother,  Mrs.  Atherton,  died  at  Bath,  in  the  ninetieth 
year  of  her  age,  in  the  year  1789.  She  was  a  woman  of  re- 
markable sweetness  of  disposition  ;  and  possessed  many  quali- 
ties of  mind  which  greatly  endeared  her  to  a  valuable  circle 
of  acquaintance,  even  to  that  advanced  period.  Serious,  sen- 
sible, and  cheerful,  her  conversation  was  instructive  and  enter- 
taining :  full  of  anecdote  and  good  sense,  she  was  an  interesting 
companion  to  the  young,  and  even  to  children,  as  well  as  to 
their  elders.  She  evidenced  a  very  marked  regard  for  religious 
principles,  and  services,  and  adorned  them  with  a  corresponding 
conduct.  She  bore  her  faculties  very  meekly^nd  enjoyed  an 
almost  uninterrupted  state  of  good  health,  untn,  after  a  short, 
and  not  painful  illness,  she  gently  sunk  into  the  grave ;  and, 
full  of  years  and  respect,  '  slept  with  her  fathers.' 

"  In  the  whole  of  their  deportment,  and  in  the  management 
of  the  family,  my  parents  maintained  great  order  and  propriety, 
founded  upon  conscientious  principles.  They  steadily  resisted 
the  torrent  of  folly,  vice,  and  dissipation,  for  which  the  gay  city  of 
Bath  is  distinguished.  While  the  giddy  votaries  ol  fashionable 
life  incessantly  whirled  in  the  vortex  of  ensnaring  pleasure,  they 
cultivated,  for  themselves  and  their  children,  sentiments  and 
habits  of  a  domestic  and  rational  character.  Regular  and  pru- 
dential in  all  their  household  arrangements,  they  maintained  a 
valuable  intercourse  with  many  estimable  friends  ;  and  set  their 
children  a  uniform  example  of  steady  resistance  to  those  tempta- 


REV.  LEGH  RICHMOND. 


229 


tions  so  injurious  to  all,  but  especially  to  the  rising  generation. 
Their  evenings  were  much  spent  at  home,  in  family  reading, 
and  improving  conversation.  By  pursuing  this  course,  they 
hoped  to  lay  a  foundation  for  future  domestic  usefulness,  in  their 
children's  dispositions.  I  shall  ever  retain  a  grateful  remem- 
.brance  of  the  sober  and  temperate  regulations  which  character- 
ized my  paternal  roof.  It  was  their  desire  to  bring  us  up  in  the 
fear  of  God,  and  to  teach  us  the  important  lesson  of  self-demal, 
so  essential  to  the  formation  of  Christian  principle. 

"  My  dear  mother  felt  much  anxiety  on  my  account,  during 
the  period  of  my  residence  in  Trinity  College,  Cambridge,  which 
commenced  in  17S9,  and  terminated,  in  1797.  A  tide  of  infidel 
and  democratical  principles  burst  upon  this  country  at  that 
period,  in  connexion  with  the  French  revolution.  Many  young 
men,  and  not  a  few  at  the  Universities,  were  deeply  infected  with 
them :  it  was  indeed  a  dark  and  dangerous  epoch,  and  she 
dreaded  the  influence  of  evil  communications.  Her  letters  used 
to  breathe  the  language  of  parental  caution,  and  evidenced  the 
correctness  of  her  judgement.  The  following  extract  is  from 
one  bearing  date  1790  : — 

" '  I  hope  that  my  dear  son  does  not,  in  the  midst  of  his  literary 
studies,  forget  those  that  pertain  to  religion.  I  cannot  help 
trembling  for  my  country,  in  these  days  of  infidel  democracy. 
I  fear  too  many  young  students  at  College  treat  the  Scriptures 
with  neglect,  if  not  with  contempt.  Some  such  have  lately 
passed  the  Christmas  vacation  at  Bath,  and  have  made  a  very 
unbecoming  display  of  their  sentiments,  at  the  cotfee-houses  and 
pubhc  rooms.  I  sincerely  hope  that  you  will  be  preserved 
from  this  conta^on.  It  has  been  my  prayer  to  God,  from  your 
infancy,  that  you  might  live  and  die  a  true  Christian.  I  am 
more  anxious  about  this  point  than  about  your  classical  and 
mathematical  attainments,  important  as  they  may  be.  I  know 
you  will  bear  with  a  mother's  exhortations  :  they  come  from  a 
heart  which  has  long  beat  with  anxiety  for  your  welfare,'  &c.  &g. 

"  In  a  subsequent  letter,  of  the  same  period,  she  writes — 
I  " '  Your  sentiments  in  answer  to  your  father's  last,  on  the  sub- 
ject of  religion,  gave  me  no  small  satisfaction.  Whoever 
deserts  that  firm  foundation  is  exposed  to  every  gale  of  passion  : 
I  and  at  best  spends  his  life  in  a  comfortless  and  agitated  state  ; 
for  doubt  is  misery  to  a  thinking  mind  ;  and  human  reason, 
with  all  its  self-sufficienc)',  is  easily  misled  by  inclination.' 

It  was  a  subject  of  peculiar  satisfaction  to  my  mother,  that 
after  four  years'  residence  at  college,  during  which  period  my 
father  had  left  me  to  the  free  choice  of  the  professions  of  the 

20* 


230 


MEMOIRS  OP  THI] 


law  or  the  church,  I  at  length  deliberately  preferred  the  latter. 
Before  that  period  it  had  been  otherwise — both  my  father's 
mind  and  my  own  had  leaned  to  the  former :  but  when  I 
assigned  to  him  a  variety  of  motives  for  entering  into  the  mi- 
nistry, which  resulted  from  much  consideration  on  my  part,  he 
cheerfully  acquiesced  in  my  decision 

I  then  first  discovered  that  it  had  been  my  mother^s  secret 
ivish  and  prayer,  from  my  birth,  thai  I  might  become  a  minister 
of  God's  word ;  but  she  had  never  disclosed  it  to  me,  from  a 
fear  of  creating  an  undue  bias,  in  a  matter  which  she  considered 
of  so  great  importance.  Her  views  of  the  ministerial  profession 
were  peculiarly  serious,  and  she  dreaded  the  idea  of  a  rash 
intrusion  into  the  sacred  office.  She  had  wished  me  to  be 
guided  by  the  unfettered  disposition  of  my  own  mind,  and  hoped 
God  would  direct  me  in  the  right  path.  Her  sentiments  may  be 
gathered  from  the  following  extract  of  a  letter,  dated  March, 
1794  :— 

"  '  Your  account  of  the  motives  which  have  determined  you  to 
enter  into  the  church,  as  contained  in  your  letter  to  your  father^ 
has  given  us  both  great  satisfaction.  Your  determination  on 
this  point  appears  to  me  as  an  answer  to  the  prayers  which  I 
have  been  offering  up  ever  since  you  were  born.  The  character 
of  a  good  clergyman  has  ever  stood  foremost  in  my  estimation  ; 
and  on  the  other  hand,  that  of  a  careless,  idle,  and  dissipated, 
and  above  all,  an  immoral  one,  has  been  my  dread  and  abhor- 
rence. The  object  of  almost  every  other  profession  terminates 
with  this  world,  and  its  concerns  ;  but  that  of  a  clergyman  looks 
to  eternity.  Here  much  depends  upon  the  character  and  con-> 
duct  of  the  minister  of  a  parish.  Your  grandfather  Richmond 
was  an  excellent  pattern  of  what  a  pastor  should  be,  and  I 
sincerely  wish  you  may  tread  in  his  steps.  I  am  sorry  to 
say  that  Bath  has  long  been  the  annual  resort  of  a  class  of 
young  clergymen,  whom  I  hope  you  will  never  imitate.  The 
hall-room,  the  theatre,  and  the  card-table,  are  not  the  appointed 
scenes  of  clerical  occupation.  /  love  the  Church  of  England 
too  well,  not  to  feel  hurt  and  ashamed  when  the  levity  and  unsuit- 
able conduct  of  any  of  her  clergy  give  the  world  at  large  a  just 
ground  for  censure. 

"  '  My  feelings  respecting  yourself  and  the  sacred  profession 
have  been  constantly  associated  with  the  principles  of  a  little 
book,  with  which  I  wish  you  to  become  better  acquainted.  It  is 
called  *  A  Mother's  Legacy  to  an  unborn  Child.'  It  was  written 
by  Mrs.  Joceline,  who  was  aunt  to  my  great-grandfather.  Sir 
Richard  Brook,  of  Norton.    Her  thoughts  and  wishes,  relative 


REV.  LEGH  RICHMOND. 


231 


to  her  child  becoming  a  clergyman,  are  precisely  my  own.  Her 
book  is  a  very  interesting  and  atfecting  composition,  and  has 
long  been  a  favourite  companion  of  mine. 

"  '  Your  choice  of  your  profession  has  eased  my  mind  of  a 
considerable  burden  ;  and  the  principles  which  you  express  give 
me  hope,  that  if  my  Hfe  be  spared,  you  will  be  a  comfort  to  my 
old  age,  and  also  a  blessing  to  many  others.  Pray  to  God  for 
direction  and  counsel  in  all  your  ways ;  trust  in  the  mercy  of 
the  Saviour ;  and  pursue  the  path  of  duty,  as  the  appointed  way 
to  happiness.' 

I  was  ordained  a  deacon  in  the  month  of  June,  1797,  by 
the  Bishop  of  Winchester  :  in  consequence  of  obtaining  the  cu- 
racy of  Brading,  in  the  Isle  of  Wight.  On  this  occasion  she 
wrote  to  me — 

'  I  passed  the  evening  of  the  day  on  which  my  dear  son  was 
ordained  (last  Trinity  Sunday,)  in  privacy  and  prayer.  Next  to 
the  day  that  gave  you  birth,  I  consider  it  as  the  most  important 
of  your  life.  You  are  now  become  a  minister  of  the  church. 
Yours  is  a  weighty  charge — may  God  give  you  grace  to  fulfil  its 
duties  aright,  \  ou  are  going  to  reside  in  a  beautiful  countiy, 
and  I  hope  you  will  also  find  '  the  beauty  of  holiness'  there.  I 
always  had  a  desire  to  see  the  Isle  of  Wight;  ai  d  now  I  have 
the  prospect  of  visiting  the  young  pastor  and  his  flock,  as  an  ad- 
ditional inducement  to  go  there.  I  shall  conclude  by  observing, 
that  as  it  may  now  seem  too  presuming  in  me  to  give  lectures 
on  theology  to  a  reverend  divine,  I  shall  henceforth  rather  ex- 
pect to  receive  them  from  you  :  but  a  mother's  prayers  may  be 
as  needful  as  ever,  and  her  blessing  no  less  acceptalDle  than  for- 
merly.   Take  them  both  from, — Your  affectionate  mother, 

"'C.  R.' 

Such,  my  dear  children,  were  the  maternal  auspices  under 
which  I  entered  on  the  work  of  the  ministry.  As  to  myself,  I 
had  much,  very  much  yet  to  learn,  and  not  a  little  to  unlearn  ; 
but  whatever  lessons  I  had  to  acquire,  or  whatever  mercies  to 
experience,  they  are  all  rendered  doubly  valuable  to  me,  as  con- 
nected with  the  prayers  and  blessing  of  such  a  parent. 

"  Peace  and  gratitude  be  to  her  memory,  from  the  heart  of — 
Your  affectionate  father." 

LETTER  lY. 

"  My  dear  Children, — I  had  scarcely  entered  upon  the  work 
of  the  ministry,  when  a  train  of  circumstances  led  me  to  a  much 


232 


MEMOIRS  OF  THE 


deeper  and  more  anxious  investigation  into  the  real  nature  of  the 
reUgi'in  of  the  Bible  and  of  the  Church  of  England,  than  I  had 
hitherto  pursued.  But  as  my  present  object  is  not  to  speak  of 
myself,  otherwise  than  as  immediately  and  necessarily  connected 
with  my  dear  parent,  I  shall  only  observe,  that  my  correspon- 
dence and  intercourse  with  her,  from  that  period,  assumed  a  very 
serious  and  affectionate  character,  upon  all  the  great  points  of 
scriptural  truth. 

*'  My  own  mind  has  been  thoroughly  convinced,  that  it  is  very 
possible  to  enter  into  the  sacred  office  of  the  ministry,  with  all 
the  advantages  of  theological  and  literary  attainments — with  a 
mind  not  insensible  to  the  moral  and  benevolent  duties  of  the 
clerical  character — and  with  a  general  acquaintance  with  all  the 
system  of  our  ecclesiastical  formularies,  and  still  be  a  stranger 
to  the  essential  and  discriminating  principle,  on  which  rest  all 
the  energies  and  all  the  efficacy  of  personal  and  social  religion. 
1  evidently  perceived  the  application  of  this  important  remark  to 
my  own  case,  and  was  gradually  led  to  the  deliberate  and  con- 
scientious adoption  of  what  I  then  did  believe,  and  now  do  be- 
lieve to  be  the  truth,  the  only  genuine  source  of  inward  peace 
and  vital  holiness." 

[Here  the  manuscript  ends.] 

We  feel  considerable  regret  at  the  abrupt  conclusion  of  this 
manuscript,  not  only  on  account  of  the  reader,  but  for  the  sake 
of  Mr.  Richmond's  family,  to  whom  it  would  have  served  as  a 
valuable  and  authentic  memorial,  endeared  by  its  being  the  pro- 
duction of  their  father.  It  seems  to  have  been  commenced 
shortly  after  the  death  of  his  mother,  which  occurred  in  Febru- 
ary, 1819  ;  and  it  is  probable,  that  his  numerous  engagements 
prevented  him  completing  the  interesting  detail.  We  cannot 
forbear  observing  how  important  it  is,  that  men,  whose  writings 
are  likely  to  benefit  others,  should  leave  nothing  of  real  moment 
unfinished — that  they  should  beware  of  trusting  to  a  futurity 
which  they  may  never  realize.* 

♦  The  writer  remembers  once  paying  a  visit  to  Dr.  Watson,  the  well-knotvp 
Bishop  of  Llanda{f,  at  his  beautiful  residence  at  the  Lakes,  and  seeing  him  sur- 
rounded by  several  volumes  which  he  was  successively  examining  :  on  asking 
his  lordship  what  was  the  subject  of  his  studies — he  replied,  "these,  sir,  are 
my  own  works.  At  my  advanced  age  I  must  expect  to  be  drawing  near  the 
grave,  and  I  am  preparing  for  the  press  a  final  edition  of  all  that  I  have  writ- 
ten, revised  and  corrected  by  my  own  hand,  to  prevent  an  editor  mutilating 
them  after  my  death."  His  decease  occurred  about  twelve  months  afterwartfS; 
which  was  the  toes*  prqcf  of  the  prudence  of  the  measure. 


REV.  LEGH  RICHMOND. 


233 


We  call  supply  the  deficiency  in  the  above  Memoir  only  by 
the  insertion  of  the  following  papers.  We  are  sorry  that  our 
materials  are  not  more  ample. 

The  first  is  a  prayer,  found  among  his  mother's  papers,  and 
which  appears  to  have  been  composed  by  her  at  the  time  her  son 
first  went  to  college. 

"  0  Lord,  the  author  and  fountain  of  all  good  things  !  from 
thy  bountiful  mercy  md  goodness,  we  thine  unworthy  creatures 
receive  all  we  possess  and  enjoy,  valuable  in  this  world,  and 
also  the  assured  hope  and  confidence  of  eternal  happiness  in 
the  world  to  come.  Look  down,  I  most  earnestly  beseech  thee, 
upon  the  hearty  desires  of  thy  humble  servant.  Bestow,  O 
Lord,  upon  this  child  such  a  portion  of  thy  heavenly  grace  as 
may  support  him  in  all  the  dangers,  and  carry  him  through  all 
the  temptations  of  this  wicked  and  degenerate  age.  Let  the 
enemy  of  our  salvation  have  no  advantage  over  him  ;  and  let 
not  the  wicked  one  be  able  to  approach  to  hurt  him  ;  visit  him, 
0  Lord,  with  thy  salvation,  and  keep  him  in  perpetual  peace  and 
safety.  Let  not  the  pernicious  examples  of  any  of  his  com- 
panions ever  incline  him  to  transgress  thy  laws  in  thought,  word, 
or  deed.  May  he  abhor  and  detest  every  thing  that  has  the  ap- 
pearance of  immorality,  and  flee  from  sin  as  from  a  fiery  ser- 
pent. Grant,  0  Lord,  that  after  the  pattern  of  his  blessed  Sa- 
viour, he  may  increase  in  wisdom  and  knowledge  ;  may  he  grow 
in  grace  as  well  as  years,  and  in  favour  with  God  and  man. 
May  he  be  dutiful  and  obedient  to  all  those  who  have  the  rule 
and  authority  over  him.  May  he  cheerfully  and  readily  obey 
their  commands,  and  in  every  thing  be  directed  and  instructed 
by  their  guidance  and  counsels.  May  he  behave  with  due  judg- 
ment and  propriety  to  all  his  equals  ;  and  to  his  inferiors  may 
he  always  shew  himself  condescending  and  obliging.  Endue 
him,  0  Lord,  with  such  a  share  of  natural  faculties  and  abilities, 
that  he  may  receive  and  retain  the  instructions  and  precepts  of 
his  tutors  and  teachers  :  but  grant,  0  Lord,  that  human  know- 
ledge may  not  prejudice  that  which  is  divine :  let  him  rather 
study  thee  and  thy  kingdom,  than  all  things  else.  To  know 
thee,  O  Lord,  is  to  be  truly  wise,  and  to  contemplate  and  medi- 
tate on  thee  and  thy  wonderful  goodness  to  the  children  of  men* 
is  the  highest  learning. 

"  Finally,  0  Lord,  if  it  be  thy  blessed  will,  grant  him  such  a 
measure  of  thy  wisdom  from  above,  that,  in  the  future  course  of 
his  life,  he  may  become  a  useful  member  of  society  ;  and  hav- 
ing served  Thee  faithfully  in  this  life,  by  doing  good  in  his  gene- 


2M 


MEMOIRS  OF  THE 


ration,  may  he  be  made  partaker  of  everlasting  glory  in  thy  Son^s 
kingdom  in  heaven,  where  there  is  fullness  of  joy,  and  at  v^hose 
right  hand  there  are  pleasures  for  evermore.  Ail  this  I  most 
humbly  and  earnestly  entreat,  in  and  through  the  merits  and  me- 
diation of  thy  Son  our  Lord  and  Saviour  Jesus  Christ,  in  whose 
name,  and  in  whose  words,  thou  has  promised  to  be  propitious 
to  the  petitions  of  those  who  approach  thy  throne  with  faith  and 
sincerity, 

"  Our  Father,  which  art  in  heaven."  &c. 

Mr.  Richmond's  mother  was  sometimes  exercised  with  fears 
respecting  her  right  apprehension  of  divme  truth.  His  corre- 
spondence was  made  highly  useful  in  giving  her  more  just,  solid, 
and  correct  views  on  this  subject.  The  following  letter,  written 
on  one  of  these  occasions,  exhibits  a  lucid  statement  of  Chris- 
tian doctrine. 

"  My  very  dear  Mother, — I  trust  that  the  letter  which  you 
have  written  to  me,  will  neither  in  length  nor  strength  be  one  of 
only  few  such,  which  I  may  be  happy  enough  to  receive.  No  ; 
write  to  me  constantly,  while  hand  and  eye,  and  heart  and  head 
are  thus  mercifully  spared  for  the  instruction  and  gratification  of 
your  children.  Write  tp  me  on  what  concerns  the  body,  and 
also  the  soul.  The  latter  especially  claims  our  mutual  contem- 
plation. Ere  long  we  shall  both  be  in  eternity :  you,  perhaps, 
a  little  sooner,  and  I  in  a  short  space  to  follow.  Yet  even  this 
natural  order  of  providence  may  be  reversed,  if  God  see  good. 
At  all  events,  what  are  the  few  short  days  and  years  of  time 
compared  with  a  '  for  ever  V  Cherish,  my  dear  mother,  clear, 
deep,  solid,  unfading  views  of  the  Saviour's  work ;  a  work  so 
perfect,  that  the  sinner  can  neither  add  to  nor  take  away  from  it, 
— a  work  which  ensures  peace  to  the  guilty — pardon  to  the 
offending — fight  to  the  blind — life  to  the  dead  !  Beware  of  dis- 
honouring Christ  by  doubting  of  his  power  or  wilfingness  to 
save,  because  you  feel  yourself  unworthy,  sinful,  and  weak. 
Faith  honours  him  by  believing.  '  What  must  I  do  to  be  saved  V 
cried  the  jailor ;  '  believe  on  the  Lord  Jesus  Christ,'  was  Paul's 
reply.  Salvation  is  wholly  of  faith  from  first  to  last.  This  is 
the  grand  discriminating  principle  between  true  scriptural  evan- 
gelical religion,  and  all  mere  imitations  or  assumptions  of  tHat 
title.  Our  paradox  is,  that  '  weakness  is  strength.'  The  soul 
that  by  faith,  through  grace,  is  saved  without  works,*  obtains  an 

*  "By  grace  are  ye  saved,  through  faith;  and  that  not  of  yourselves  ;  it  is 
the  gift  of  God.   JVo^  of  works,  lest  any  man  should  boast."  Eph.  ii.  8,  9. 


REV.  LEGH  RICHMOND. 


235 


1  inward  principle  of  love,  which  must  ivork,  cannot  but  ivork,  and 
I  MluaHif  does  iBork.*  The  order  is  thus  :  First,  God  loved  us  ; 
secondly,  thence  we  obtain  faith  to  trust  him  ;  thirdly,  we  are 
thus  saved  ;  fourthly,  we  therefore  love  him  who  first  loved  us ; 
fifthly,  this  love  produces  good  thoughts,  words,  and  works,  as 
the  fruits,  not  the  root,  of  our  salvation.  Thus  is  He  the  author 
and  finisher  of  our  faith,  and  the  author  of  salvation  to  all  them 
that  obey  Him.  He  has  promised  to  all,  as  well  as  to  David, 
to  perfect  the  thing  which  concerneth  his  people  :  whom  he  lov- 
eth,  he  loveth  to  the  end  ;  trust  him,  therefore,  evermore.  Such 
is  the  Christian's  doctrinal,  practical,  and  experimental  creed. 

"  I  preached,  on  Sunday,  a  right  loyal  sermon  for  poor  queen 
Charlotte,  and  traversed  all  the  useful  and  exemplary  features  in 
her  character.  This  day  she  is  to  be  buried.  Peace  to  her 
memory  !  Poor  king  George  !  In  the  midst  of  life,  he  is,  as 
it  were  in  death — in  light,  darkness — in  riches,  poor — in  splen- 
dour, dullness — in  society,  solitary  ; — yet,  happily,  not  dead — 
I  not  dark — not  poor — not  dull — not  sohtary.  Providence  hangs 
a  veil  of  mystery  over  him,  but  grace  illumines  it,  even  while 
we  can  scarcely  discern  through  it  the  form  of  our  revered  mo- 
narch. He  sees  consolations  and  companions  from  on  high. 
He  has  the  peace  which  the  world  cannot  give,  nor  sickness 
take  away  ;  therefore  he  is  a  happy  man.  Our  journey  was 
well  bestowed  on  Fanny,  and  will,  I  hope,  leave  a  lasting  im- 
pression on  her  mind,  of  a  useful  sort.  I  do  with  you  hope 
that  my  valuable  acquaintance  may  be  of  future  use  to  my  chil- 
dren ;  the  '  promise,'  you  know,  '  is  not  only  to  us,  but  to 
them.'  " 

The  following  letter  addressed  by  Mr.  Richmond  to  his  wife, 
enables  us  to  supply  some  information  relative  to  the  last  mo- 
ments of  his  father ;  at  the  same  time  that  it  affords  a  fine  illus- 
tration  of  the  faith  and  resignation  of  his  mother. 

"  Dearest  Mary, — I  sent  you  a  few  hastily  penned  hnes  last 
iiight.  As  soon  as  I  had  finished  them,  I  went  to  our  medi- 
cal friend,  from  whom  I  had  a  regular  account  of  the  melan- 
choly event  which  has  brought  me  here.  I  had  previously  writ- 
ten a  note,  that  I  might  be  shewn  into  a  room  with  my  dear 
mother  alone.  I  then  went  with  Mary,  and  found  my  mother  in  a 
most  interesting  struggle  between  divine  consolation  and  natural 

♦  See  Homily  "  on  the  true,  lively,  and  Christian  faith."  We  also  beg  to 
refer  the  reader  to  the  remarks  made  on  the  whole  of  this  doctrine  in  the  review 
pf  Mr,  Daubeny's  work. 


236 


MKMOIRS  OF  THE 


aftectioii.  My  first  words,  alter  an  interval  of  silence,  were, 
*  are  you  supported,  my  dear  mother?  'Beyond  all  hope 
and  expectation,'  was  the  reply.  *  Do  you  feel  the  consola- 
tions of  Religion?  'lam  resigned  to  the  stroke,  though  it 
rends  my  heart  in  two.  I  may  weep  ;  but  I  dare  not,  will  not 
complain.  I  never  deserved  him  ;  he  was  lent  to  me,  and  now 
God  has  taken  him  again.  You  are  come  to  support  a  poor 
widowed  mother's  heart ;  and  I  know  you  will  be,  what  your  dear 
sister  Fanny  has  already  been,  the  prop  and  strength  ol  my 
age  and  affliction.'  1  was  astonished  and  melted  at  her  forti- 
tude and  resignation.  1  find  my  dear  father's  mind,  for  three 
weeks  past,  was  calm  and  tranquil,  expressive  of  much  faith, 
patience  and  hope.  My  mother  was  reading  that  exquisite  com- 
mentary of  Bishop  Home,  on  the  23d  Psalm.  He  observed  at 
the  close  of  the  fourth  verse,  '  that  is  heavenly,  and  it  is  iny 
comfort.'  He  then  suddenly  said,  '  my  head  is  giddy,'  staggered 
to  the  sofa,  and  tell  into  my  mother's  arms ;  his  eyes  hxed,  and 
a  deadly  paleness  on  his  face.  She  contrived  to  ring  the  bell, 
and  instantly  returned  to  him ;  he  gasped  for  breath,  and  groan- 
ed twice.  The  servant  came  in,  and  lifted  up  his  legs  ;  he  gave 
one  more  slight  struggle,  and  breathed  out  his  soul  in  my  mo- 
ther's arms.  She  sat  with  him  two  hours  in  silent  composure  ; 
unable  to  weep,  but  calm  in  grief.  That  night  she  could  not 
sleep,  but  gained  relief  by  much  weeping.  Fanny  arrived  on 
Sunday  evening,  and  slept  with  our  dear  mother.  After  1  had 
sat  for  half  an  hour  yesterday  evening,  the  rest  came  in,  one  by 
one,  and  we  fell  into  a  solemn  but  tranquil  conversation.  My 
very  heart  was  ready  to  burst ;  but  1  concealed  my  feelings  as 
much  as  possible.  After  a  while,  I  went  to  see  the  body  of  my 
father.  As  we  proceed  up  stairs,  I  found  my  legs  tremble,  and 
when  I  came  to  the  room  door,  I  staggered  ;  but  instantly  offer- 
ing up  a  prayer  for  strength,  felt  relieved,  and  advanced, 

"  Instead  of  seeing  any  thing  to  inspire  terror,  I  beheld  his 
well-known  and  honoured  countenance  so  calm,  heavenly,  mild, 
and  unaltered,  that  it  seemed  only  like  a  sweet  sleep.  I  never 
felt  more  composed  ;  and  we  sat  three-quarters  of  an  hoii|| 
chiefly  in  silent  contemplation.  I  could  only  now  and  then  in^ 
terrupt  it  by,  '  Oh  !  how  sweet  a  countenance  ! — there  is  nothing 
terrible  in  this  !  It  is  the  emblem  of  peace  and  composure. 
Oh  !  my  dear  father  !  I  could  have  wished  to  have  closed  ^o^h 
eyes — but  God's  will  be  done  !'  With  difficulty  I  left  the  rwrn. 
I  went  down  to  supper.  Afterwards,  I  requested  all  the  house 
to  assemble,  and  read  1  Cor.  xv  ;  and  then  offered  up  a  solemn 
and  appropriate  prayer.    Great  feeling  pervaded  us  all. 

"  This  morning,  at  nine  o'clock,  commenced  the  business  of 


REV.  LFGH  RICHMOND. 


237 


he  funeral.  My  heart  again  failed  me.  I  was  excessively  tried 
in  the  procession  through  the  church-yard,  and  in  the  church.  I 
^vas,  however,  inwardly  strengthened,  and  shed  the  last  tear  over 
ins  remains. 

"  On  returning  to  the  house,  for  a  moment  I  fainted,  but  reco- 
vered. Indeed,  my  dear  love,  it  has  been  a  very  trying  scene  to 
me.  A  thousand  tender  recollections  of  past  days  have  suc- 
cessively crowded  upon  my  mind ;  and  every  object  here  re- 
minds me  so  much  of  a  beloved  and  revered  parent,  that  I  can- 
not but  feel  deeply. 

"  He  seem.-,  to  have  had  a  presentiment  of  his  approaching 
end,  but  rather  concealed  it  from  others.  I  never  felt  myself  of 
such  power  to  console  as  at  this  moment.  My  dear  mother 
says,  '  You  are  my  oak,  and  I  am  a  poor  ivy,  clinging  around 
you  :  now  you  are  my  child  indeed.'  " 

The  ensuing  letter  contains  all  the  particulars  with  which  we 
are  furnished  respecting  the  decease  of  this  excellent  woman, 
in  January,  IS  19.  It  is  addressed  to  one  of  his  daughters.  He 
had  previously  seen  her  on  his  return  from  Scotland,  in  the  pre- 
ceding autumn  ;  and  remarked  that  she  looked  more  aged, 
though  not  complaining  ;  but  she  expressed  her  apprehensions 
that  they  were  meeting  for  the  last  time. 

"  My  dear  F  , — I  am  just  returned,  after  executing  the 

difficult  and  affecting  task  of  preaching  a  funeral  sermon  for  my 
most  excellent  and  revered  mother,  at  her  parish  church.  1 
took  my  subject  from  Ps.  cxv.  1,  as  best  suited  to  her  humble, 
meek,  and  believing  frame  of  mind.  It  was  indeed  a  trying 
effort ;  but  God  carried  me  through  surprisingly.  I  introduced 
some  very  interesting  papers,  which  I  have  found  amongst  her 
memoranda,  in  her  own  hand-writing.  Her  last  message  to  me 
was — 'Tell  my  son,  I  am  going  direct  to  happiness.' 

''Never  was  there  a  more  delightful  and  heavenly  counte- 
nance than  her's,  as  she  lay  in  her  coffin :  it  combined  every 
sentiment  which  the  most  devout  mind  could  desire  :  love — joy 
— peace — gentleness — goodness — faith — meekness — charity, 
all  shone  serenely  bright.  I  followed  her  to  her  grave,  in  Lan- 
caster church-yard,  where  she  lies  under  a  sycamore  tree,  amid 
the^  magnificent  landscape  of  sea,  mountains,  rivers,  castle,  and 
church,  around.  You  remember  its  high  beauties.  But  you 
very  imperfectly  know  the  high  qualities  of  head  and  heart  which 
your  grandmamma  possessed — I  never  met  with  her  equal  at 
the  same  age.   I  occupy  her  little  room,  adjoining  her  bed-roomt. 

21 


238 


ME3I0IRS  OF  THE 


by  day  ;  and  it  is  a  great  consolation  to  me  to  sit  in  her  arm- 
chair and  think  oi'  her,  and  read  her  papers  on  various  subjects. 
There  you  and  1  took  leave  of  her,  in  November  last — but, 
alas!  her  place  knoweth  her  no  more!  I  look  out  of  the  win- 
dow, at  the  grand  range  of  snow-capt  mountains,  which  are  now 
beautiful  in  the  extreme.  I  had  no  conception  of  the  winter 
beauties  of  these  hills; — Lansdale  Piles,  Rydal  Head,  Hill 
Bell,  Helvellyn,  &c.  &c.  all  finely  illuminated  with  snow-sun- 
shine, in  diversified  shades.  And  then  I  think  of  my  dear 
mother,  and  how  she  enjoyed  their  characteristic  grandeur. 

"  Letters  pour  in  daily,  fri)m  all  parts  of  England,  condoling 
with  us  in  our  great  loss.  My  mother  was  loved  and  honoured 
most  extensively.  Dear  woman  !  for  forty-seven  years  I  have 
proved  thy  aifei  ti.m,  and  can  trace,  from  earliest  infancy,  the 
tokens  of  thy  worth.  [Slay  I  follow  thee  in  humility,  faith,  and 
love  ;  and  cherish  thy  memory  with  gratitude  and  honour  !" 

The  following  lines  were  inscribed  on  the  tombstone  of  the 
late  Mrs.  Richmond,  which  is  inclosed  with  iron  railing,  and 
placed  under  a  sycamore  tree  in  Lancaster  church-yard,  on  the 
west  side,  erected  by  her  three  afflicted  children,  to  her 
memory  : — 

Sacred  to  the  memory  of  Catharine,  widow  of  Henry  Richmond,  M.  D. 
(formerly  of  Liverpool,  and  late  of  Bath,)  and  daughter  of  John  Atherton, 
Esq.  late  of  Walton  Hail,  in  this  county,  who  departed  this  life,  January  the 
30th,  1819 ;  in  the  eighty- fourth  year  of  her  age. 

The  hoary  head  is  a  crown  of  glory,  if  it  be  found  in  the  way  of  righteousnes*. 

C.  R. 

SOLI  DEO  GLORIA. 

Wha-t  though  Affliction  here  would  heave  a  sigh. 

That  one  so  loved  and  so  revered  should  die — 

Calm  Resignation  clasps  a  Saviour's  cross, 

And  mourns,  but  does  not  murmur  at  the  loss. 

'Twas  there  her  meek  and  lo^vly  soul  was  taught 

To  seek  the  heavenly  crown  his  blood  had  bought. 

'Twas  thence,  in  mercy,  beamed  the  welcome  ray. 

Which  cheered  with  hope  the  aged  pilgrim's  way. 

This  mouldering  dust  siiall  here  repose  in  peace, 

Till  that  great  day,  when  time  itself  shall  cease. 

Her  spirit,  is  with  God  ;  and  this  its  plea — 

"My  Saviour  liv'd,  my  Saviour  died  forme  !"  " 

Not  unto  us,  0  liord,  not  unto  us,  but  unto  thy  name  give  glory,  for  thy  mercy 
and  for  thy  truth's  sake. 


REV..LEGH  RICHMOND. 


2S9 


The  following  obituary,  relating  to  this  event,  was  inserted  in 

I one  of  the  periodicals  of  the  day  : — 
"  On  January  30th,  1819,  died,  at  Leighton  Hall,  near  Lan- 
caster, aged  83,  Catharine,  widow  of  Dr.  Henry  Richmond, 
formerly  of  Liverpool,  and  late  of  Bath.  jV-rs.  Richniond  was, 
through  life,  distinguished  by  superior  intellec  tual  faculties, 
cultivated  taste,  and  most  amiable  manners.  These  she  retained 
to  the  last.  But  these  qualities  were  only  sijbservient  to  a  solid 
and  enlightened  piety  of  heart,  f  »unded  upon  a  cordial  reception 
of  the  principles  of  the  go-pel  of  Christ.  The  deep  humility  of 
her  disposition,  her  meek  and  quiet  spirit,  and  her  devotional 
sense  of  a  Saviour's  mercies  have  seldom  been  exceeded. 
With  her  increasing  age,  God  blessed  her  with  increasing  en- 
joyment of  divine  truths  ;  and  enabled  her  to  meditate,  con- 
verse, and  correspond  upon  them  with  a  vigour  of  mind,  sobriety 
of  judgment,  and  simplicity  of  affection,  v.'hich  proved  the  holy 
source  from  whence  they  proceeded. 

"  Her  son  engaged  in  the  affecting  task  of  preaching  hei 
funeral  sermon,  in  the  parish  church  of  Warton,  on  Sunday, 
Feb.  14,  to  a  large  congregation,  from  Ps.  cxv.  1  ;  a  subject 
selected  as  being  peculiarly  expressive  of  her  O'vn  views  and 
feelings,  when  hving.  The  mingled  tears  of  relatives,  friends, 
domestics,  and  neighbours,  bore  an  interesting  testimony  to  the 
love  and  veneration  in  which  her  memory  is  held." 

Thus  had  Mr.  Richmond  the  delightful  consolation  of  know- 
ing, that  both  his  parents  departed  in  the  hope  and  peace  of  the 
Gospel.  Happy  is  it  when  the  bonds  of  nature  are  knit  more 
closely  by  those  of  grace  ! — when  the  child  and  the  parent  are 
partakers  of  the  same  Christian  hope,  running  the  same  race, 
and  looking  forward  to  the  same  eternal  rest  and  glory  ! 

"  Oh  !  what  Is  death  ?    'Tis  life's  last  shore, 
Where  vanities  are  vain  no  more  ! 
Where  all  pursuits  their  goal  obtain, 
And  life  is  all  retouched  again  ; 
Where,  .n  their  bright  results,  shall  rise 
Thoughts,  virtues,  friendships,  griefs,  and  joys," 


240 


MEMOIRS  OF  THE 


CHAPTER  XIV. 

Letter,  and  verses — Extracts  from  Diary — Tours  to  Scotland— 
loua — Letters  ;  friendly,  family,  and  imstoral — Memoir  of 
JVEiss  Sinclair. 

Mr.  Richmond,  in  his  northern  tours  for  the  religious  socie- 
ties, often  visited  Scotland.  On  one  of  these  occasions,  he  left 
Ms  eldest  daughter  under  the  hospitable  roof  of  Dr.  and  Mrs. 

S  ,  near  Glasgow,  with  whom  he  had  formed  a  particular  in- 

timacy.  But  whether  present  or  absent,  Mr  Richmond  disco- 
vered a  uniform  anxiety  for  his  children.  Their  spiritual  wel- 
fare lay  near  his  heart.  He  often  wrote  to  them,  and  never 
omitted  to  make  some  useful  reference  to  the  great  concerns  of 
eternity. 

The  following  letter,  and  copy  of  verses,  addressed  to  his 
daughter,  exhibit  a  model  of  parental  care  and  affection  : — 

"  Dear  Mary, — I  wrote  to  you  on  my  own  birth-day,  and  now 
I  dp  the  same  on  yours.  '  There  is  a  time  to  be  born,  and  a  time 
to  die.'  So  says  Solomon  ;  and  it  is  the  memento  of  a  truly 
wise  man.  But  I  may  add,  there  is  an  interval  between  these 
two  times,  of  infinite  importance. 

Does  my  beloved  child  duly  appreciate  this  ?  Not  aU  the 
charms  of  nature,  either  Scottish  or  English,  can  for  a  moment 
compare  with  those  of  grace  :  and  when  can  we  better  contem- 
plate the  real  value  of  life,  the  vanity  of  the  world,  the  worth  of 
a  soul,  and  the  need  of  a  Saviour,  than  when  the  lapse  of  time 
brings  round  the  anniversary  day  of  our  birth  ?  It  seems  to 
concentrate  all  the  experience  and  feeling  of  past  days,  and  to 
unite  them  with  the  anticipations  of  those  which  are  yet  to  come  : 
it  speaks  to  youth  and  age  alike,  and  summons  both  to  prayer 
and  meditation.  Soon  will  eternity  overwhelm  all  the  concerns 
of  time,  but  will  infallibly  take  its  character  from  them.  I  sin- 
cerely hope  that  you  are  systematically  improving  time,  with  a 
view  to  that  eternity.  Your  opportunities  have  been  many  and 
valuable  ;  your  privileges  great — may  every  ensuing  day  prove 
that  they  are  not  lost  upon  you.  Religious  parentage  and  so- 
cial connexions  alone  cannot  save  :  personal  religion  in  the 
heart  is  every  thing.    Our  dear  friend  Mrs,  S  appears  to 


REV.  LEGH  RICHMOND. 


241 


oiijoy  it  in  deed  and  in  truth.  Prize  such  n.  friend  ;  not  only 
because  she  is  kind  and  agreeable,  and  worthy,  but  because  she 
is  a  child  of  God,  a  member  of  Christ,  and  an  inheritor  of  the 
kingdom  of  heaven  ;  and  as  such,  may  be  the  ordained  instru- 
ment of  God,  for  establishing  the  same  principle  in  you.  Think 
of  us  all,  not  for  the  mere  love's  sake  of  earthly  kindred,  but  for 
the  love  of  Jesus,  as  connected  with  the  family  of  heaven. 
This  alone  gives  to  charity  itself  its  value. 

"  Farewell,  my  dear  child  ;  and  while  you  pray  for  yourself, 
forget  not — Your  affectionate  father, 

"Legh  Richmond." 
ADDRESSED  TO  MISS  RICHMOND, 

ACCOMPAKIED  BY  A  LOCKET  OF  DERBYSHIRE  FLCOR  SPAR,  IN'  THE  FORM  OF  a 

HEART. 

Here  I  offer  my  daughter  a  heart  without  sin, 
Tliat  knows  nought  of  corrup  ion  and  sorrow  within  f 
A  heart  which  you  see  is  so  curiously  wrought, 
That  it  ne'er  can  offend — not  so  much  as  m  thought  I 

That  its  virtues  are  shining  within  and  without. 
Is  a  truth  which  admits  of  no  rational  doubt : 
Its  character,  Mary,  is  pure  and  sincere  ; 
And  its  inmost  ideas  transparent  and  clear. 

Tis  a  heart  tiiat  will  bear  the  minutest  inspection,. 
And  never  prove  guilty  of  any  deception  : 
What  it  was,  that  it  is — wliat  it  is,  it  w;ll  be — 
Unconscious  of  guile  or  to  you  or  to  me. 

It  may  seem  to  be  strange — nay,  it  is  so,  I  own — 
Tiiat  this  heart,  though  so  pure,  is  as  hard  as  a  stoiic  : 
It  resists  all  impressions  which  tenderness  makes  ; 
But  if  force  be  employed,  it  immediately  breaks. 

And  this  heart,  if  once  broken,  can  never  be  healed, 
Xor  the  least  of  its  wounds  be  a  moment  concealed  : 
And  though  stony  its  texture,  and  iiard  be  its  nature, 
f .ike,  yourself,  this  poor  heart  is  a  delicate  creature. 

Then  make  use  of  the  emblem  you  wear  at  your  breast : 
With  "  the  hearts  that  are  pure,"*  do  you  seek  to  be  blest  ' 
Weep  and  mourn  for  a  nature  by  sin  so  deranged, 
And  pray  for  a  heart  that's  essentially  changed. 

May  the  "stone"  in  your  heart,  be  removed  far  away, 
And  the  softened  affections  alone  bear  the  sway ! 
They  will  lead  you  to  Jesus  with  penitent  sigh?. 
Till  t])e  sun  of  his  ri_ghteousness  sweetly  arise. 


=^  Matt  V.  S. 


242 


MEMoms  OP  THE 


May  graces  resplendent  as  those  of  the  stone, 

Both  within  and  without,  be  forever  your  own  ! 

Let  your  heart  be  transparent,  wherever  you  are, 

And  your  conduct  will  shine  far  more  clear  than  the  spar 

But  should  you  oflFend,  and  for  sin  be  heart-broken, 
Behold  on  the  cross  there  is  Mercy's  bright  token ! 
The  heart  that  is  contrite  God  wilJ  not  despi-e, — 
The  heart  that  is  broken  is  dear  in  his  eyes. 

Christ's  love  has  no  limit,  then  give  him  thy  heart,— 

In  the  deed  shall  His  spirit  free  comfort  impart : 

So  the  heart  of  the  H>aviour,  allied  close  to  thine, 

In  a  glorious  unity  ever  will  shine.  L.  K. 

We  regret  that  the  limits  of  this  memoir  will  not  allow  us  to 
lay  before  our  readers  copious  extracts  from  Mr.  Richmond's 
journals  of  his  tours  in  Scotland.  He  adverts  to  them  at  all 
times  with  grateful  recollection  :  they  form  an  interesting  part 
of  his  public  life,  and  indeed  led  to  an  important  event  in  his 
family.  We  insert  the  following  extract,  principally  with  a  view 
to  shew  his  opinion  of  all  institutions  which  professedly  exclude 
religion  from  their  operations. 

EXTRACTS  FROM  DIARY. 
July  18.  Went  to  Long-town,  and  entered  Scotland  by 
Gretna-Green — a  disgrace  to  both  countries.  Proceeded  to 
Dumfries.  A  superior  place.  Admired  the  town.  Medi- 
tated as  I  walked  along,  on  Rom.  vii.  Search  deep.  *  Lord, 
what  is  man !' 

« —  19.  Went  with  the  Rev.  Dr.  D.  to  visit  the  church- 
Mausoleum  of  Robert  Burns  the  poet,  which  cost  1500/.  Ex- 
traordinary and  ornamented  collection  of  monuments  in  the 
church-yard.  Held  a  meeting  to  aid  the  circulation  of  the 
Hebrew  Testament  for  the  Jews,  at  the  new  church.  Well 
attended  ;  12/.  12s.  collected  ;  and  a  foundation  laid  for  a  new 
society  in  behalf  of  the  Jews. 

"  —  20.  Attended  a  Bible  meeting.  A  very  dehghtful  day. 
Made  some  truly  valuable  acquaintances.  Took  leave  of  Dr. 
D.    Manifold  mercies. 

"  July  21.  Set  out  for  Biggar.  Held  a  meeting  for  Hebrew 
Testament.  Collected  12/.  7s.  6d.  Felt  much  respect  for  the 
memory  of  the  well-known  John  Brown  of  Haddington,  while 
I  was  in  the  house  of  his  grandson,  and  amongst  his  great  grand- 
children. 

"  —  22.  Breakfasted  at  Lanark.  Went  to  see  New  Lanark, 
aad  the  Clyde  Falls ;  Mr.  Owen  accompanied  us.  Nothing  could 


REV.  LEGH  RICHMOND. 


243 


-exceed  the  beauty  of  the  scene.  Saw  the  whole  of  the  mills 
and  machinery.  Dined,  and  had  much  conversation  with  Mr. 
Owen  Oil  all  his  plans.     Theij  want  a  religious  basis. 

f  —  23.  Sermon  at  Church.  Went  at  four  to  Mr.  Owen's 
school-room,  and  addressed  the  whole  institution,  from  Job  xxii. 
21.  Fine  sight.  Collected  4/.  3s.  In  the  evening,  held  a 
meeting  at  Lanark  church  for  Hebrew  Testament.  Two  thou- 
sand people — grand  spectacle. 

"  —  24.  Breakfasted  with  Mr.  Owen.  Conversed  again  on 
his  new  plan.  Went  to  the  school :  saw  the  children  go  through 
all  their  various  classes.  The  dancing  may  be  pretty  for  chil- 
dren, but  unquestionably  leads  to  much  evil  among  the  adults. 
Many  things  are  very  interesting  here,  but  require  close  investi- 
gation. Visited  the  fall  of  the  Clyde — very  superb  indeed. 
Read,  as  I  travelled  on,  Mr.  Owen's  manuscript.  Some  clever 
ideas  of  economical  arrangement ;  but  it  must  fail,  as  it  now 
stands.    There  is  no  Christ  in  his  scheme,  and  it  cannot  prosper, 

"  July  25.  Glasgow.  Preached  in  the  Episcopal  chapel  in 
the  evening,  from  Rom.  xi.  17,  18.  Fine  congregation.  After- 
wards, attended  a  juvenile  missionary  meeting. 

— 26.  Erskine.  Dined  with  Dr.  and  Mrs.  S.  Most 
hospitably  and  kindly  welcomed.    A  lovely  retirement. 

"  —  27.  Paisley.  Delivered  an  address  for  the  Jews  to 
a  very  numerous  assembly.  Collected  23/.  Afterwards  spent 
a  very  profitable  evening.  Much  sensible  and  valuable  conver- 
sation. 

"  —  29.  Read  an  account  of  my  proceedings  at  Dumfries 
in  the  Edinburgh  Star.  Lord,  keep  me  humble,  and  shew  me 
the  real  character  of  myself.    *  Lord,  what  is  man  !' 

"  —  30.  Paisley.  Preached  in  the  morning,  from  Rom.  x. 
11.  Collected  10/.  lis.  5d.  Addressed  in  the  evening  3000 
people,  including  1500  children  and  young  people.  Wonderful 
crowd.  Fine  spectacle.  Close  and  riveted  attention.  Return- 
ed home.    I  bless  God  for  all  his  goodness. 

—  31.  Glasgow.  Met  Dr.  C.  Interesting  and  most 
profitable  conversation,  on  plans  for  parochial  visitation,  inter- 
course, and  reform.  Attended  a  meeting  for  the  Jews.  Noble 
assembly.  Spoke  for  an  hour.  Collected  14/.  Mr.  David 
P.  is  to  travel  with  me  into  the  W^estern  and  Northern  Islands. 

"  Aug.  1.  Isle  of  Bute.  W'as  much  struck  with  the  grandeur 
and  beauty  of  the  Firth  of  Clyde.  Exquisite  view  of  the  moun- 
tains. Tints  indescribable.  Marquis  of  Bute's — basaltic  cha- 
racter of  the  rocks.  Visited  a  Highland  cottage ;  children 
reading ;  mother  and  grandmother ;  spinner's  wheel ;  smoky 


244 


MEMOIRS  OF  THE 


roof ;  Gaelic  Testament.  Religious  conversation.  Intelligence 
and  seriousness.  The  cottage  scene,  and  inland  scenery  around, 
and  spiritual  associations  altogether,  constituted  a  most  interest- 
ing combination. 

"  —  2.  Rothsay.  Went  to  a  Jews'  meeting.  Place  over- 
flowing. Collected  17/.  175.  Had  much  interesting  conversa- 
tion this  day  about  Ossian,  and  received  some  strong  proofs  of 
its  authenticity. 

"  —  3.  In  the  course  of  the  last  three  days,  have  seen  some 
of  the  finest  specimens  of  clouds  rolling  over  hills  in  every 
shape  and  manner.  Also  grand  combinations  of  sea,  island, 
and  mountain  beauty.  0,  for  a  heart  to  feel  and  acknowledge 
God's  protecting  mercies  ! 

"  —  13.  Aros.  Prayed  earnestly  for  all  my  family,  and  my 
parish." 

The  beauty  of  the  following  passage  entitles  it  to  insertion. 

VIEW  FROM  FAIRLY. 

"  I  rose  early  in  the  morning  to  view  the  mountains  of  Arraii. 
They  were  enveloped  in  clouds,  and  rendered  invisible.  Thus, 
it  occurred  to  me,  have  my  fair  prospects  in  the  landscape  of 
life  been  often  obscured,  and  the  mists  of  sadness  or  uncer- 
tainty have  shed  a  gloom  over  my  spirits.  I  have  said,  '  Why 
art  thou  cast  down,  O  !  my  soul,  and  why  art  thou  disquieted 
within  me  1  Hope  thou  in  God,  for  I  shall  yet  praise  Him,  who 
is  the  health  of  my  countenance,  and  my  God.' 

"  I  looked  again  across  the  arm  of  the  ocean  which  inter- 
vened, and  I  saw  the  clouds  becoming  gradually  thinner ;  the 
mountains  shewed  their  grotesque  and  interesting  forms,  as  if 
seen  through  a  veil,  which  at  length  dispersed,  and  the  magnifi- 
cent group  of  hills  was  seen  in  all  its  beauty.  So,  I  thought, 
has  mercy  often  shed  her  rays  over  the  scene  of  life,  dis.^olved 
the  clouds  of  apprehension  and  sorrow,  and  cheered  the  whole 
prospect  with  the  enlivenmg  light  of  hope  and  love.  Every 
mountain  raises  its  head  to  the  glory  of  God,  and  all  their  fan- 
tastic but  sublime  combinations  declare  his  wisdom,  power,  and 
goodness.  This  lovely  scenery  shall  preach  to  my  soul,  and 
from  its  ever-varying  features  I  will  draw  forth  instruction,  and 
subjects  for  praise  and  adoration." 

From  Aros,  island  of  Mull,  Mr.  Richmond  wrote  a  letter  to 
his  son  W^ilberforce,  and  in  the  course  of  his  journey  another  to 
Mrs.  Richmond,  both  of  which  are  here  inserted. 


REV.  LEGH  RICHMOND. 


245 


My  dear  Wilberforce, — How  little  idea  can  my  son  form  of 
the  scenes  with  which  his  father  is  surrounded,  amongst  these 
Highlands  and  islands  of  the  North.  It  is  like  being  in  another 
world.  In  some  of  these  remote  islands,  where  the  Gaelic  lan- 
guage is  chiefly  spoken  (though  not  to  the  exclusion  of  the  Eng- 
lish,) where  ditfereut  manners,  dress,  habits,  dwellings,  &c.  pre- 
vail, 

*  The  world  forgetting,  bj  tlie  world  forgot,' 

it  seems  difficult  to  conceive  that  it  is  still  Briiain.  I  am  now 
on  my  way  for  Staffa  and  lona,  but  whether  the  weather  will  be 
fine  enough  to  allow  of  my  projected  excursion,  remains  a  doubt; 
you  shall  know  before  this  letter  is  concluded.  I  propose  this 
evening  to  gather  a  little  company  of  Highland  cotters,  and  to 
preach  to  them  in  a  wild  glen,  in  this  romantic  island.  The  pa- 
rish church  is  fifteen  miles  distant.  Yesterday  I  came  from 
Oban,  which  is  thirty-five  miles  by  sea  from  this  place ;  but 
owing  to  the  wind  being  in  the  wrong  dnection,  we  made  tacks 
amounting  to  one  hundred  miles,  before  we  got  into  this  little 
peaceful  spot.  This  is  a  little  inn — before  it.  in  one  direction,  is 
the  sea,  and  bey  nd,  a. vast  ransje  of  mountains,  called  IMorven, 
in  Argyleshire  ;  in  another  direction,  about  half  a  mile  off,  is  a 
ruined  castle,  standincj  on  a  bold  knoll  and  rock,  washed  by  the 
waves.  On  our  right  hand  are  the  hilis  of  the  isle  of  Mull,  co- 
vered with  heath  and  cottages.  Before  the  door  runs  a  saimon 
stream,  rattling  over  stones  :  above  thirty  people  were  yesterday 
fi.shing  and  harpooning  for  salmon  ;  fifty  of  them  weighed  from 
four  to  twenty-five  pounds  each.  Dozens  of  children  were  in 
the  river  to  catch  eels,  talking  Gaelic  with  much  vociferation  and 
alacrity. 

"  I  think,  in  our  voyage  yesterday,  I  saw  twenty  ruined  cas- 
tles, and  three  inhabited  ones,  and  above  twenty-five  of  the 
islands  of  the  Hebrides.  The  intelligent  boatmen  tell  you  all 
manner  of  ancient  legends  and  histories  c*>nne(  ted  with  them 
and  their  ancient  masters.  They  carry  you  back  into  the  days 
of  Norwegian,  Danish,  and  Irish  story.  I  saw  the  spot  where 
a  part  of  the  Spanish  Armada  was  wrecked  :  and  a  gun  still  re- 
mains on  a  rock,  belonging  to  one  of  the  Spanish  ships.  It  is 
on  the  main-land  shore,  opposite  to  the  Isle  of  Mull.  This  is 
the  grand  scene  of  all  Ossian's  descriptions,  and  corresponds 
exactly  with  them.  All  the  ruins  are  finely  covered  with  ivy, 
and  so  are  the  rocks. 

"  AVe  have  had  much  rain,  and  the  mountain  torrents  run 
grandly  down  their  sides.    I  think  on  Thursday  we  counted  350 


246 


MEMOIRS  OF  THE 


cascades,  in  a  morning  ride  ;  some  of  them  gigantic.  I  re- 
member seeing  tvventy-nme  at  one  view.  The  wild  magnifi- 
cence of  Highland  scenery  cannot  easily  be  conceived.  Parties 
of  ladies  are  amongst  the  visitants,  and  in  some  places  they 
cheerfully  submit  to  many  privations  for  the  sake  of  the  pros- 
pects. I  go  into  the  cottage. ,  and  sit  down  with  the  poor  people, 
and  talk  with  tbem  on  religious  subjects,  and  receive  rich  milk 
and  whiskey  in  return.  There  is  much  grateful  affection  about 
them. 

"  In  the  map  you  may  trace  my  route  thus  :  Carlisle,  Long- 
town,  Annan,  Dumfries,  Biggar,  Lanark,  Glasgow,  Greenock, 
Isle  of  Bute,  Arran,  Campbeltown,  near  the  Mull  of  Blantyre,^ 
Arroquhar,  Inverary,  Dalmally,  Oban.  Next,  and  yet  to  come, 
if  all  be  well,  is  Staffa,  lona,  Fort  Uilliam,  Fort  Augustus,  In- 
verness, Tain ;  thence,  downwards,  towards  Terth,  Dundee, 
and  Edinburgh.  I  am  very  thankful  to  God  for  permitting  me 
to  take  this  round,  and  more  so  for  making  my  services  very  ac- 
ceptable, and  I  hope  useful.  "he  tem.>est-beaten  glens,  the 
secluded  isles,  the  pop  dous  towns,  the  romantic  villages,  all  in 
their  turn  bear  witness  to  the  declaration  of  '  the  truth  as  it  is  in 
Jesus.'  1  have  a  truly  congenial  companion  in  the  '  Clemens' 
of  the  Christian  Guardian  ;  he  is  just  what  I  want,  both  for  soul 
and  body,  and  in  each  devotes  himself  to  my  aid  and  comfort 
most  assiduously.  Our  views,  principles,  taste,  and  feelings, 
strictly  accord.  He  is  a  student  of  divmity  in  the  university  at 
Edinburgh,  and  preparing  for  the  Scotch  church.  I  left  Mary 
with  Dr.  S.  last  Tuesday  ;  she  will  soon  go  to  Edinburgh,  and 
wait  till  my  return  from  the  North  of  Scotland.  I  shall  now  lay 
down  my  pen,  and  probably  not  resume  it  until  the  point  is  de- 
cided, to-morrow  or  next  day,  whether  the  rain  will  allow  of  our 
visiting  these  most  interesting  of  islands,  Staffa  and  lona.  The 
latter  is  thirty  miles  from  hence  ;  the  former  twenty,  but  on  the 
opposite  side. 

Tuesday,  Aug.  15.  Very  wet,  and  we  cannot  proceed. 
Both  lona,  at  twenty,  and  Staffa,  at  ten  miles  distance,  are  in 
sight,  but  it  is  very  doubtful  whether  we  shall  reach  them,  as  the 
Atlantic  is  full  of  mists,  rain,  and  wind.  I  am  waiting  patiently 
for  better  weather,  in  a  little  inn,  in  this  Httle  island,  five  miles 
by  three. 

" — "18.  My  dear  boy,  I  have  seen  StafTa,  and  write  this 
from  lona.  What  I  shall  say  I  know  not,  for  really  I  can*  say 
nothing  as  I  ought.  When  I  entered  the  cave  of  Fingal,  I  knew 
not  whether  to  burst  out  into  one  unceasing  cry  of  astonish- 
ment, or  meditate  in  unbroken  silence  of  overwhelming  wonder, 


REV.  LEGH  RICHMOND. 


247 


or  fall  down  upon  my  knees  in  devout  adoration  of  Him  who 
formed  such  a  scene  of  subhme  beauty.  It  beggars  all  de- 
scription. This  was  on  Wednesday :  alter  waiting  four  days 
for  weather,  yesterday  we  arrived  at  this  lonely  scene  of  ruin 
and  curiosities,  and  it  more  than  answers  all  my  expectations. 
Think  of  all  we  have  read  about  lona,  and  imagine  then  a  small 
part  of  my  sensations." 

"  My  dear  Love, — It  would  be  no  easy  task  to  describe  the 
laborious  circuit  of  engagements  and  accompanying  solicitudes, 
in  which  I  am  daily  engaged.  Next  week  I  enter  the  depths  of 
the  Highlands,  and  so  far  North :  if  all  be  well,  the  week  after 
next  I  shall  reach  StafTa,  the  isle  of  wonders  ;  and  lona,  the  isle 
of  caves  and  kings.  Amongst  the  spiritual  mercies  I  have  this 
week  met  witli.  are  three  new  and  dis-inct  instances  of  the  con- 
versations and  happy  deaths  of  children  in  Glasgow,  Paisley, 
and  Greenock;  two.  through  Little  Jane.'  The  wide  disper- 
sion of,  and  impression  connected  with  these  tracts  in  Scotland, 
is  scarcely  credible.  I  have,  in  this  respect,  seen  far  beyond 
*  the  travail  of  my  soul.'  When  I  reflect  upon  the  simplicity  of 
their  origin,  and  the  little  idea  entertained  of  their  ever  going 
beyond  the  hmited  circulation  of  the  Christian  Guardian,  I  am 
sometimes  lost  in  wonder  at  the  success  attending  their  publica- 
tion. Surely,  we  may  unitedly  praise  God  for  his  unspeakable 
mercy  to  us  in  this  one  unexampled  instance. 

"  This  situation  is  very  lovely  :  near  it  stands  the  seat  of 
Lord  Blantyre,  Mrs.  Stewart's  brother.  Close  by  flows  the 
magnificent  river  Clyde,  widening  gradually  from  two  hundred 
yards  to  three  miles  in  breadth.  Highly  cultivated  scenery  is 
backed  by  stupendous  groups  of  vast  Highland  mountains, 
forming  the  very  first  class  of  landscape.  Ruined  castles,  ele- 
gant mansions,  sea-port  towns,  woods,  rocks,  promontories, 
boats,  ships,  banks,  succeed  each  other.  Ben  Lomond  is  seen 
in  al!  his  ponderous  grandeur,  and  so  is  Benledi.  The  whole 
neighbouring  scenery  is  indeed  very  fine. 

I  preach  three  times  at  Paisley  to-morrow  ;  at  Glasgow  on 
Monday  ;  at  Rothsay  in  the  Isle  of  Bute,  on  Wednesday  ;  at 
Greenock  on  Thursday  ;  at  Port  Glasgow  on  Friday ;  at  Arro- 
quhar  on  Sunday  week." 

Mr.  Richmond  visited  the  island  of  lona  twice ;  he  found 
there  neither  temple  nor  ordinances  of  religious  worship,  except 
in  the  occasional  \isits  of  a  Scotch  minister  from  an  adjacent 
island  ;  and  the  appointment  of  a  schoolmaster,  who  assembled 
the  children  in  a  rude  building. 


248 


MEMOIRS  OF  THE 


From  lona  Mr.  Richmond  visited  StafFa.  We  extract  a  few 
memoranda  from  his  Diary,  written  at  this  time. 

"  Aug.  19.  Set  off  for  a  second  view  of  StafFa.  We  took 
the  good  schoohnaster  and  his  wife  with  us.  No  words  can  de- 
scribe the  whole  :  we  had  the  afternoon  sun  upon  all  the  most 
striking  features  of  this  magnificent  group.  The  water  was  so 
calm  that  we  went  into  the  great  cave  in  the  boat,  and  thus  ob- 
tained the  finest  view  possible.  We  sang  a  hymn ;  it  was 
sweetly  echoed.  Rows  of  prismatic  pillars  ;  their  crown  twist- 
ed— pillars  in  all  directions — an  immense  one  at  the  end  of  the 
cave — shells  on  rocks — covering  of  the  roof — ruins  of  lona 
seen  from  the  cave—sound  of  the  surf — causeway  of  broken 
pillars — cattle  fi  eding  above — light  and  shade — cascades  of 
surf — spray  dashing — scenery  much  improved  by  the  clearness 
of  the  day — lona  huts — peculiar  statistics  of  lona — school- 
master's account — no  clock,  but  sun  and  tide — seven  watches — 
no  shop — four  sermons  a  year ;  once,  four  a  day — schoolmaster 
reads  weekly. 

"  Conversation  this  day  in  the  boat  very  interesting.  Re- 
turned to  lona  at  eight  o'clock.  Drank  tea  with  the  good 
schoolmaster. 

Aug,  20. — Sunday,  Willy's  birth-day  ;  God  bless  him  ! 
Breakfast  conversation  with  the  schoolmaster.  Plan  for  build- 
ing a  school-house.  Preparation  for  sermon.  Sweet  quietness 
of  this  island.  Sabbath  morning.  Went  at  eleven  to  the 
school-house,  and  gave  a  service.  I  preached  to  a  large  com- 
pany of  these  poor  lonians,  from  2  Cor,  v.  Dehghtful !  (The 
room,  roof,  windows,  floor,  desk,  forms,  people,  &c.)^  Then  I 
went  and  passed  two  hours  alone,  amid  the  ruins  and  graves. 
Had  solemn  and  peaceful  meditations ! 

"  At  four  gave  another  service,  preaching  from  Luke  xxiv.  47. 
At  half-past  six  gave  a  third,  chiefly  to  the  children.  The  last, 
by  the  schoolmaster  interpreting  in  Gaehc,  sentence  by  sen- 
tence. Much  affection.  It  was  an  interesting  experiment ;  he 
prayed,  read,  and  sang  in  Gaelic. 

Passed  a  most  comfortable  evening  in  conversation  with 
these  worthy  lonians.  Surely,  I  have  learned  much  here  I  A 
day  to  be  remembered.  I  hope  to  raise  a  sufficient  subscription 
to  build  a  new  school-house  for  lona. 

"  Moon  setting.  Stars  most  bright  at  eleven.  All  reflected 
on  the  ocean,  on  the  ruins,  and  from  the  hills  and  rocks." 

It  will  excite  no  surprise,  that  a  man  of  Mr.  Richmond's  piety 
and  taste  should  avail  himself  of  this  opportunity  to  visit  the 


REV.  LEGH  RICHMOND. 


249 


once  celebrated  island  of  lona,  one  of  the  Hebrides.  lona 
now  contains  only  one  village,  with  mean  houses,  and  about  400 
inhabitants.    It  is  the  most  noted  place  of  Caledonian  anti- 
quity.*   It  was  formerly  the  seat  of  the  Druids,  some  of  whose 
sepulchral  remains  are  still  extant.    Christianity  was  introduced 
into  this  island  by  St.  Columba,  after  whom  it  was  called  I-co- 
lumb-kill,  or  Columba's  Cell.    St.  Columba  came  from  Ireland 
to  lona  in  the  sixth  century,  accompanied  by  twelve  disciples, 
through  whose  missionary  labours  the  greater  part  of  Scotland 
was  converted  to  the  Christian  faith.    The  college  founded  by 
St.  Columba  was  the  seat  and  centre  of  literature  and  piety  ; 
and  from  hence  these  blessings  were  diffused,  not  only  over  the 
British  Islands,  but  throughout  a  great  part  of  Europe.  The 
ruins  of  these  ancient  edifices  still  remain  as  memorials  of  the 
apostolical  labours  of  Columba,  his  associates  and  successors, 
lona  is  the  burial  place  of  forty-eight  Scotch  crowned  heads, 
four  Irish  kings,  eight  Norwegian  princes  or  viceroys  of  the 
island,  and  a  multitude  of  nobility  and  religious  orders.    It  had 
also  360  crosses,  which  were  all  destroyed,  except  one,  at  the 
Reformation.    The  ruin  of  the  once  splendid  cathedral  cannot 
fail  to  mterest  the  traveller,  and  to  excite  the  deepest  emotion  in 
the  heart  of  the  Christian.    It  was  under  the  influence  of  recol- 
lections like  these,  that  Dr.  Johnson  composed  the  following 
celebrated  passage. 

"  We  were  now  treading  that  illustrious  island  which  was  once 
the  luminary  of  the  Caledonian  regions  ;  whence  savage  clans, 
and  roving  barbarians  derived  the  benefit  of  knowledge  and  the 
blessings  of  religion.  To  abstract  the  mind  from  all  local  emo- 
tion would  be  impossible  if  it  were  endeavoured,  and  would  be 
foolish  if  it  were  possible.  Whatever  withdraws  us  from  the 
power  of  our  senses  ;  whatever  makes  the  past,  the  distant,  or 
the  future  predominate  over  the  present,  advances  us  in  the  dig- 
nity of  thinking  beings.  Far  from  me,  and  from  my  friends^ 
be  such  frigid  philosophy,  as  may  conduct  us,  indifferent  and 
unmoved,  over  any  ground  which  has  been  dignified  by  wisdom, 
bravery,  and  virtue.  The  man  is  little  to  be  envied,  whose  pa- 
triotism would  not  gain  force  upon  the  plains  of  Marathon,  or 
whose  piety  would  not  grow  warmer  among  the  ruins  of  lona."^* 

*  We  refer  the  reader  to  Pennant's  Tour  through  Scotland,  and  Johnson's 
Tour  to  the  Hebrides,  for  further  information. 

t  See  journey  to  the  Western  Islands,  of  Scotland,  by  Dr.  Johnson.  Bos- 
irell,  in  his  life  of  Dr.  Johnson,  relates  the  following  anecdote  respecting  this 
passage  : — "  Sir  Joseph  Banks,"  he  observes,  "  the  respectable  president  of  the 
Royal  Society,  told  me  he  was  so  much  struck  on  reading  it,  that  he  clasped  his 
hands  together,  and  remained  for  some  time  in  an  attitude  of  silent  admiration." 

22 


250 


MEMOIRS  OF  THE 


From  lona,  he  wrote  to  Mrs.  Richmond  : 

*'  I  aru  persuaded  that  my  dearest  Mary  will  not  only  allow 
me  to  express  the  strong  sensations  of  my  own  heart,  as  con- 
nected with  the  remote  and  magnificent  scenes  in  which  a  kind 
Providence  is  at  present  placing  me,  but  will  sympathize  and 
share  them  w  ith  me.  Had  1  not  sent  off  a  letter  two  days  since 
to  Wilbertorce,  I  would  on  this  day  have  written  to  him,  as  it  is 
his  birrh-day  ;  which  has  been  the  subject  of  my  early  and  ear- 
nest m<irnino  prayer,  on  a  sabbath  spent  in  this  extraordinary 
and  interesting:  island.  You  are  not  altogether  unaware  of  the 
peculiar  f'^eluigs  and  wishes  which,  for  many  years,  I  have  che- 
rished in  regard  to  these  islands  ;  and  now  the  desire  has  been 
fully  answered.  You  can  form  little  idea  of  the  characteristics 
of  every  thinir  and  every  body  around  me.  The  novelty,  sim- 
phcity,  singularity,  the  tout  ensemble  is  indescribable.  I  have 
been  obliged  to  wait  a  whole  week  for  suitable  weather,  and 
almost  despaired  of  success,  but  I  regret  it  not  now.  '  God 
waits  upon  the  waiters,'  and  we  experience  it.  No  one  can 
visit  these  islands,  without  allotting  from  a  week  to  a  fortnight 
of  disposable  time  for  the  purpose.  You  have  seen  my  prints 
of  StafTa ;  but  you  have  not  seen  them  large  and  solid  as  the 
original.  The  sublimity,  beauty,  magnificence,  singularities, 
wildness,  and  overwhelming  influence  of  the  whole,  quite  stop 
my  pen,  and  my  breath,  when  I  attempt  either  to  write  or  speak 
on  the  subject.  I  have  made  two  separate  visits  to  StafTa,  and 
seen  it  within  and  without,  with  every  possible  advantage.  My 
travelling  friend,  Mr.  P.,  is  of  a  truly  congenial  mind,  and  we 
have  mutual  pleasure  in  using  the  scenes  of  nature  as  means  of 
grace. 

lona  is  delightful  in  another  way.  Here,  amid  the  ruins  of 
ancient  grandeur,  piety,  and  literature — surrounded  by  the 
graves  and  mouldering  grave-stones  of  kings,  chieftains,  lords  of 
the  isles,  bishops,  priests,  abbesses,  nuns,  and  friars — the  scene 
decorated  with  the  fine  and  romantic  remains  of  cathedral,  col- 
leges, nunnery,  chapels  and  orbJories,  with  views  of  islands, 
seas,  rocks,  mountains,  interspersied  with  the  humble  huts  of 
these  poor  islanders  ; — I  am  just  preparing  to  preach  to  as- 
many  of  them  as  can  understand  EngVish,  in  the  open  air.  A 
rock  my  pulpit,  and  heaven  my  sounding-board  ;  may  the  echo 
resound  to  their  hearts.  In  the  evening,  1  expect  to  preach  by 
a^Gaelic  interpreter,  to  the  whole  company  of  islanders,  sen- 
tence after  sentence  being  translated  as  I  utter  them.  I  trust  I 
am  following  up  the  spiritual  example  and  wishes  of  my  friend 


REV.  LEGH  RICHMOND. 


251 


j  C,  and  that  some  good  will  result  from  this  visit.  This  will 
I  more  than  repay  the  delay  occasioned  in  my  jo.irney,  by  this 
most  interesting  excursion  to  the  Hebrides.  It  will  somewhat 
lengthen  my  journey  and  time;  but  I  feel  a  persuasion  that  my 
own  soul  and  those  of  others  are  to  profit  by  it.  Joia  your 
prayers  to  mine,  that  it  may  be  so. 

"  Since  writing  the  above,  [  have  given  three  services,  under 
circumstances  most  interesting  and  novel,  to  these  poor  island- 
.ers  of  Icolumbkill.  i  he  last  by  a  Gaehc  interjJreter,  who 
translated  every  sentence,  after  I  had  delivered  it  in  tng^lish.  I 
passed  near  two  hours  alone,  amid  the  ruin-  and  graves  of  the 
cathedral.  It  was  a  most  solemn  aad  peacefijl  meditation:  and 
here,  you  may  tell  Willy,  f  kn^;!t  down  <ipon  the  L^nive^  <.f  an- 
cient monarchs.  mouldering  in  the  dust,  and  praved  God  to 
<  remember  him  for  good  .'  to  make  him  a  holv  and  happy  being, 
both  in  time  and  eterr/ity,  I  asked  of  the  Li  id,  that  iny  child 
might  share  in  th^;  Christian  privileges,  charaf-ter.  and  literature 
I  of  the  once  renowned  Christian  divines  of  lona.  the  mis.  ionaries 
and  theologians  of  a  primitive  period,  on  whose  ashes  I  was 
treading;  [  prayed  that  if  ^and  only  if )  his  heart  were  rightly 
directed,  God  would  make  him  a  minister  of  Christ's  church  on 
eariii ;  but  that  he  might  never  enter  on  the  sacred  office,  if 
likely  to  be  a  careless,  carnal,  unconverted  servant  of  the  sanc- 
tuary. My  heart  was  full  of  holy  freedom  as  I  offered  a 
father's  petition  on  the  birth-day  of  my  child." 

The  following  is  a  letter  addressed  to  his  son,  containing 
a  most  impressive  appeal  on  the  subject  of  the  Christam 
ministry  : — 

"  My  dear  Boy, 

****** 

"It  is  high  time  that  you  and  I  should  communicate  fre- 
quently, intimately,  and  confidentially.  If  this  is  not  to  be  ex- 
pected by  the  time  you  have  arrived  at  fifteen,  when  is  it  to  be 
looked  for  ?  On  one  account,  I  have  more  solicitude,  and  even 
dread,  on  your  behalf,  than  for  any  of  my  children.  Earnestly 
as  I  should  wish  a  son  of  mine  to  be  a  minister,  yet  I  tremble  at 
the  idea  of  educating  and  devoting  a  son  to  the  sacred  profes- 
sion, without  a  previous  satisfactory  evidence  that  his  own  soul 
was  right  with  God.  Without  this,  you  and  I  should  be  guilty 
of  a  most  awful  sin  in  his  sight.  To  any,  and  every  other  good 
profession,  trade,  or  occupation,  it  may  be  lawful  and  expedient 


252 


MEMOIRS  OP  THE 


to  fix  with  some  degree  of  determination,  long  before  entering 
upon  it  ;  but  the  mmistry  is  an  exception.  Even  St.  Paul  him- 
self trembles  at  his  responsibility,  und  exclaims,  '  lest,  when  I 
have  preached  to  others,  I  myself  should  be  a  cast-away.* 
I  consider  personal  rehgion,  accompanied  and  evidenced  by 
personal  conduct,  to  be  indispensable  in  the  individual,  before 
either  he,  or  another  for  him,  fixes  on  the  mmistry  for  his  pro- 
fession. And  I  will  not  hesitate  to  say  to  yoii,  that,  honoured 
and  happy  as  I  should  feel,  in  being  permitted  to  see  you  a  faith- 
ful preacher  of  righteousness,  adorning  the  Gospel  which  you 
would  proclaim  to  others  ; — yet  without  this,  I  would  rather  a 
thousand  times  see  you  a  mason,  or  in  the  humblest  capacity  in 
life.  I  know  what  the  office  is  ;  and  a  penitent  sense  of  my 
own  deficiencies  teaches  me  to  be  fearful,  and  to  tremble  for 
those  of  others?  how  much  more  so  in  the  case  of  my  own 
child? 

"  The  national  church  groans  and  bleeds,  'from  the  crown  of 
its  head  to  the  sole  of  its  feet,'  through  the  daily  intrusion  of  un- 
worthy men  into  its  ministry.  Patrons,  parents,  tutors,  col- 
leges, are  annually  pouring  a  torrent  of  incoinpetent  youths  into 
the  church,  and  loading  the  nation  with  spiritual  guilt.  Hence, 
souls  are  neglected  and  ruined — bigotry  and  ignorance  prevail—- 
church  pride  triumphs  over  church  godliness — and  the  Estab- 
lishment is  despised,  deserted,  and  wounded.  Shall  you  and  I 
deepen  these  wounds  ? — shall  we  add  one  more  unit  to  the  num- 
bers of  the  unworthy  and  traitorous  watchmen  on  the  towers  of 
our  British  Jerusalem  I  God  forbid  !  But  to  avoid  so  sad  a 
departure  from  every  principle  of  sacred  order  and  conscience, 
you  must  become  a  humble,  seriously-minded,  consistent  young 
disciple  of  Christ :  a  diligent  student,  an  obedient  son,  a  loving 
brother,  a  grateful  worshipper,  a  simple-hearted  Christian.  And 
/  must  feel  comfortably  satisfied  that  you  are  so  ;  or  with  what 
conscience,  with  what  hope,  with  what  satisfaction,  with  what 
peace  of  mind,  can  I  consent  to  devote  you  to  the  most  sacred, 
the  most  important,  the  most  responsible  of  all  offices  within  the 
compass  of  human  existence? 

Now,  I  will  not,  and  ought  not  to  conceal  from  you,  that, 
however  accustomed  we  may  all  have  been  to  talk  of  you  as  a 
future  clergyman,  I  dare  not  decide  upon  any  such  plan  without 
a  much  more  clear  evidence  than  I  have  yet  seen,  that  your  actual 
state  of  feelings  and  conduct,  temper  and  conversation,  habitual 
and  permanent  thoughts,  are  such  as  will  justify  me  in  coming 
to  so  solemn  a  determination  on  my  own  part. 

"  I  say  this  with  anxiety,  and  write  it  with  fear,  as  my  pen 


SEV.  LEGH  RtCHMOiND. 


253 


proceeds ;  but  I  say  it  with  earnest  prayers  for  the  real  conver- 
sion of  your  soul  to  God,  and  with  some  hope  that  He  will  hear 
the  petitions  which  I  have  offered  up  for  you  through  many  a 
long  year.  I  still  repeat  it,  that  I  never  can  consent  to  put  my 
seal  to  the  question  of  the  ministry,  unless,  and  until  I  have  some 
isatisfactory  proof  of  your  heart  being  turned  to  God,  in  holy 
consistency,  and  permanence  of  character. 

Let  these  pages  be  a  testimony  before  God — and  keep  them 
,  as  a  sign  between  you  and  me — that  I  am  in  earnest,  as  to  a 
subject  where  indifference  would  be  sin. 

"  I  have  long  been  studying  your  character  in  the  hourly 
events  of  each  day,  in  immediate  reference  to  this  point.  — 

 Remember,  '  they  that  are  Christ's  have  crucified  the  flesh, 

with  its  affections  and  lusts  :'  crucify  yours.  Pursue  your  stu- 
dies with  diligence  :  you  may  do  great  things  for  yourself,  even 
without  help — although  I  grant,  much  l>etter  with  it.  I^ut 
*  work  while  it  is  day  ;  the  night  cometla  when  no  man  can  work.' 
—  Believe  me  your  affectionate  father,  L.  R." 

May  the  above  serious  and  highly  appropriate  remarks  be 
deeply  impressed  on  every  youthful  aspirant  to  the  ministerial 
office.  And  may  every  parent,  before  he  finally  destines  his 
child  for  so  sacred  a  profession,  pause,  and  maturely  weigh  the 
responsibility  of  the  act :  and,  as  a  further  simulant  to  his  con- 
science, may  he  contemplate  Mr.  Richmond  praying  for  his  son, 
amidst  the  graves  and  ruins  of  lona. 

We  have  already  noticed  the  cheerful  character  of  Mr.  Rich- 
mond's piety.  The  kindness  of  his  heart  led  him  to  experience 
an  exquisite  satisfaction  in  imparting  pleasure.  It  seemed  to  be 
his  constant  aim  "  to  instruct  by  pleasing  ;"  and  he  entered 
into  every  innocent  feeling  of  children,  and  readily  shared 
their  recreations.  The  school  at  lona  particularly  interested 
him  :  and  he  soon  gained  on  the  children's  affections,  who  lis- 
tened to  his  instructions  with  confiding  simplicity.  Before  he 
quitted  lona,  he  rewarded  their  diligent  attendance  with  a  pub- 
lic entertainment.  The  best  sheep  to  be  found  in  the  island 
was  purchased  for  the  sum  of  six  shillings.  But  a  difficulty 
arose  on  the  occasion, — there  was  fuel  to  roast  it,  but  the  whole 
domain  could  not  supply  the  necessary  apparatus  for  its  dissec- 
tion. The  children  assembled  on  the  shore,  and  picked  up 
shells,  to  answer  the  purpose  of  knives  and  forks. 

How  interesting  a  scene  !  Two  hundred  children  and  their 
parents,  assembled  on  the  sea-shore, — every  countenance  beam- 
mg  with  delight !    The  hearts  of  the  guests  might  be  full  of  joy, 

22^ 


254 


AIElilOIRS  OP  THB 


in  the  novelty  of  the  amusement,  and  in  the  hospitality  of  their 
benefactor ;  but  the  master  of  the  feast,  amidst  the  wreck  of 
greatness,  the  tombs  of  the  mighty  dead,  and  the  anticipation  of 
the  revival  of  former  piety  among  these  remote  islanders,  would 
taste  the  higher  luxury  of  doing  good. 

At  the  conclusion  of  the  festivity,  all  sung  the  following 
^ymn,  which  Mr.  Richmond,  in  the  glow  of  his  benevolent  feel- 
ings, had  composed,  and  which  was  interpreted  by  the  school- 
master : — 

"  Thou  God  of  all  grace !  O  omnipotent  Lord, 

Fill  our  hearts  with  the  power  of  thy  soul-saving  word  [ 

Have  mercy,  Jehovah!  and  be  it  ihy  will 

To  save  the  poor  children  of  Icolumbkill ! 

"  Thy  Spirit  came  once  on  the  wings  of  a  *  dove,* 
And  proved  to  our  fathers  how  great  was  thy  love  : 
Have  mercy  again,  Lord  !  and  be  it  thy  will 
To  save  the  poor  children  of  Icolumbkill ! 

"When  idolatrous  Druids  polluted  the  land, 
To  banish  them  hence,  thou  didst  stretch  forth  thy  hand  ' 
Thou  art  still  the  same  Lord ;  and  oh  !  be  it  thy  will 
To  save  the  poor  children  of  Icolumbkill ! 

"  On  thee  all  our  hope,  in  our  poverty  stays — 
Revive,  Lord,  thy  work,  in  the  midst  of  the  days  : 
"We  will  trust  thee,  0  Lord  !  then  be  it  thy  will 
To  save  the  poor  children  of  Icolumbkill ! 

"  Though  remote  be  our  dwelling,  and  humble  our  lot, 
Yet  our  God  has  a  blessing  for  each  little  cot. 

Have  mercy,  dear  Saviour  !  and  be  it  thy  will  fi 
To  save  the  poor  children  of  Icolumbkill ! 

"  May  our  hearts  feel  the  power  of  the  blood  that  was  shcd, 
When  Christ  on  the  cross  for  our  sins  *  bowed  his  head  :'  ^ 
May  that  blood  be  our  trust ;  and  oh  !  be  it  thy  will 
To  save  the  poor  children  of  Icolumbkill ! 

*^  Bless  our  parents  and  teachers  ;  and  make  it  their  joy 
In  seeking  our  welfare  their  time  to  employ : 
Oh  !  bless  their  instructions ;  and  be  it  thy  will 
To  save  the  poor  children  of  Icolumbkill ! 

"  Now  hear  our  petition,  O  God  of  the  Isles ! 
That  we  all  may  partake  of  thy  heavenly  smiles  : 
In  life  and  in  death  be  thou  merciful  stiH, 
And  save  the  poor  children  of  Icolumbkill ! 

"And  at  the  last  day,  when  our  bodies  shall  rise. 
To  behold  the  great  Saviour  and  Judge  in  the  skiei^- 
Then  let  it  be  known  that  it  was  thy  good  will 
To  save  the  poor  children  of  Icolumbkill," 


BEV.  LEGH  RICHMOND. 


255 


Mr,  Richmond,  during  his  visit  to  lona,  frequently  preached 
in  the  school-house.  On  one  of"  these  occasions,  he  adverted 
to  the  Jewish  mission.    The  hum  of  the  children  was  heard, 

We  will  give,  we  will  give  !"  Some  persons  present  attempted 
to  check  their  zeal,  and  keep  silence,  but  all  voices  were  raised 
in  reply — "  The  bairns  will  have  it— the  bairns  will  have  it !" 
meaning,  the  children  loould  make  a  collection  :  ana  they  pre- 
sented to  him  the  sum  of  2/.  Os.  9f/.*  If  not  all  their  living,  yet 
a  magnificent  offering  to  Him  whose  grace  had  touched  their 
hearts  and  inspired  their  zeal.  Of  these  poor  islanders  it  might 
be  truly  said,  "  Their  deep  poverty  abounded  unto  the  riches  of 
their  liberality." 

The  impression  made  on  the  people  of  loaa  by  Mr.  Rich- 
mond's visit,  appears  from  the  foUouing  anecdote.  He  had 
hired  a  boat  and  two  sailors,  to  take  him  to  Fingal's  cave,  a 
place  of  great  curiosity,  and  of  which  he  never  spoke  without 
the  deepest  emotion.  On  his  return,  he  asked  the  boatmen 
what  he  had  to  pay  them.  But  they  refused  to  accept  any  re- 
muneration ;  and  though  he  urged  them  to  name  tlieir  charge, 
they  firmly  persisted  in  their  resolution ;  looking  at  him  with 
tears  in  their  eyes  and  exclaiming,  *'  No,  no,  no,  sir.  Love  1ms 
brought  you  to  lona,  and  love  shall  find  you  a  boat." 

Mr.  Richmond,  before  he  quitted  this  interesting  scene  of  his 
labours,  addressed  the  children  :  about  200  of  whom  were  pre- 
sent. The  master  desired  that  as  many  as  wished  to  thank 
their  benefactor  for  his  kindness  to  them,  would  lift  up  their 
Jiands.  All  raised  their  hands  above  their  heads.  "  Is  this  from 
your  hearts  ?"  said  the  master.  Instantly  one  hand  was  laid 
on  their  hearts,  the  other  remaining  up  :  and  in  this  posture," 
says  Mr.  Richmond,  in  his  journal,  "  the  dear  children  stood, 
while  I  gave  them  a  parting  blessing.  It  was  a  most  touching 
sight." 

He  left  lona  amidst  the  tears  of  its  population,  nearly  the 
whole  of  whom  attended  him  to  the  sea-shore,  with  the  most 
lively  demonstrations  of  gratitude  and  love. 

"  Farewell,  he  observes,  dear,  interesting  lona.  May  I 
think  much  and  profitably  on  my  visit,  and  on  what  I  saw  and 
enjoyed  there." 

Before  he  quitted  the  island  he  had  formed  a  plan  for  raising. 

*  This  seems  a  large  sum  for  lona,  but  we  have  the  authority  of  Mr.  Ricli- 
moud's  journal  for  the  fact ;  Khere  it  is  aho  stated,  that  he  repeatedly  declined 
accepting  the  boon,  buttiie  islanders  forced  it  upon  him,  as  a  testimony  of  tb<?ii" 
regard  to  him  and  to  his  caipe. 


256 


MEMOIRS  OF  THE 


by  subscription,  the  means  of  building  a  new  school-house,  and 
providing  a  permanent  salary  for  the  master. 

With  a  view  to  prepare  his  Scotch  friends  for  the  design,  he 
wrote  to  his  dau:»hter  Mary,  whom  he  left  at  Edinburgh. 

"  My  dear  Mary, — Nothing  ever  equalled  Staftk  in  one  point 
of  view,  or  lona  in  another :  no  words  of  mme  v/ill  ever  reach 
or  approach  what  I  should  wish  to  say ;  but  I  thank  God  for 
what  T  have  seen. 

"  Tell  our  good  friends  that  my  anxiety  to  promote  the  wel- 
fare of  the  poor  islanders  of  lona  has  led  me  to  undertake  the 
raising  a  subscription  to  build  a  school-room  ;  which,  with  the 
aid  of  the  schoolmaster,  of  most  true  and  go'dly  simplicity,  will 
be  of  essential  benefit  to  the  place  About  90/.  will  be  wanted, 
and  I  sincerely  hope  to  succeed  in  raising  it.  I  have  spent 
three  days  and  a  sabbath  among  them.  I  preached  thrice  there  : 
the  opportunity  was  delightful,  and  afrf;Cting  in  the  highest  de- 
gree. Pray  use  your  influence  to  prepare  the  way  before  I  come. 
The  money  will  be  admirably  laid  out  for  the  good  of  the  island. 
I  have  pledged  myself  for  the  attempt,  and  trust  God  will  pros- 
per it.  I  hope  my  petition  will  prevail  with  those  who  wish  well 
to  the  poor  islanders.  The  prayers,  tears,  and  blessings  of  the 
dear  people  followed  us  to  the  shore,  as  I  departed.  It  was  ^ 
time  much  to  be  remembered." 

On  Mr.  Richmond's  return  to  Edinburgh,  he  made  the  follow- 
ing appeal  to  the  Scotch  public  : — 

"  loNA. — A  friend  to  the  religious  education  and  improvement 
of  the  inhabitants  of  the  western  islands  of  Scotland,  has  re- 
cently visited  the  interesting  island  of  lona  (or  Icolumbkill.) 
The  island  is  an  appendage  to  a  parish  in  the  adjacent  isle  ot" 
Mull.  Divine  service  is  performed  in  lona,  by  the  minister, 
four  times  a  year.  There  is  a  school  in  lona,  under  the  charge 
of  a  pious  master,  who  receives  a  salary  from  the  Society  for 
promoting  Christian  knowledge  in  the  Highlands  and  Islands  of 
Scotland.  This  schoolmaster  reads  a  sermon  to  several  of  th? 
inhabitants,  every  Sabbath  day  :  but  the  house  appropriated  to  ' 
the  purpose  of  the  school  is  in  so  ruinous  a  state,  and  so  very 
unsuitable  to  the  design,  in  regard  to  size,  light,  and  general 
convenience,  that  neither  the  education  of  the  children,  nor  the 
instruction  of  the  adults,  can  be  carried  on  with  advantage. 
The  inhabitants  of  this  remote  island,  are  four  hundred  and  fifty 
in  number.  In  the  hope  of  promoting  their  religious  and  moral 
welfare,  it  is  proposed  to  raise  a  subscription  for  the  building  of 
a  yery  plain  but  commodious  school-room,  for  the  instruction  of 


REV  LEGH  RICHMOND. 


257 


the  islanders.  The  tenants  and  cotters  are  too  poor  to  raise  a 
subscnption  amongst  themselves,  although  they  are  very  desi- 
rous that  such  a  house  should  be  built,  and  will  asj^ist  m  the  cart- 
ing and  carrying  of  the  materials  to  the  place.  '  Gold  and  silver 
they  have  none;  but  such  as  they  have,  they  will  give  to  the 
cause/  The  schoolmaster  is  much  esteemed  amongst  them, 
and  has  been  the  instrument  of  considerable  usefulness  to  the 
inhabitants ;  and  there  is  every  reaso  to  believe  that  the  ac- 
commodation thus  proposed  will,  if  carried  into  execution, 
greatly  increase  it.  The  requisite  steps  will  be  taken  to  ensure 
the  permanent  appropriation  of  the  building  to  ihe  purpose  for 
which  the  subscription  is  raised.  It  is  e.-timated  that  90/.  will 
be  adequate  to  the  accomplis-hment  of  the  plan. 

''It  may  be  a  subject  of  dffecting  ct)nsideration  that  this 
humble  school-house  will  be  erected  in  the  verv  midst  of  the  vene- 
rable ruins  of  manv  religious  and  literary  establishments  :  trom 
which  in  the  earlier  periods  of  Scottish  history,  piety  and  learn- 
ing were  ditfiised  through  a  large  portion  of  l^urope,  as  well  as 
in  the  British  islands;  and  they  still  remain,  as  memorials  of  the 
apostolical  labours  of  T'olumhia.  his  associates,  and  successors. 
There  likewise,  mingled  with  the  graves  of  the  poor  islanders, 
lie  the  remains  of  numerous  kings  of  Scotland,  Ireland,  and 
Norway, — of  the  lords  of  the  isles,  and  of  innumerable  chief- 
tains, who  were  long  since  buried  in  this  once  chosen  cemetry 
of  royalty  and  ancient  grandeur. 

"  The  associations  arising  from  a  compailson  between  the 
former  and  present  condition  of  this  little  island,  may  perhaps 
be  allowed  to  plead  an  additional  argument  for  this  attempt  to 
amehorate  the  situation  of  its  present  and  future  inhabitants,  by 
affording  increased  tacilities  and  encouragements  to  their  edu- 
cation and  mstruction. 

"  Amongst  the  various  appeals  which  are  now  making  to  the 
Christian  public,  in  behalf  of  the  Highlands  and  Islands  of 
Scotland,  it  is  hoped  that  the  present  may  be  allowed  to  rank  as 
not  the  least  interesting. 

"  S-'bscriptions,  and  names  of  subscribers  will  be  received 
by  Robert  Hepburne,  Esq.,  Edinburgh  ;  who  has  kindly  under- 
taken to  act  as  treasurer.  The  Rev.  Legh  Richmond  has  also 
engaged  to  conduct  the  correspondence^,  and  the  arrangements 
lequisite  for  the  accomplishment  of  the  building  " 

At  this  time  he  wrote  the  following  letter  to  his  daughter 
Fanny : — 

"  Since  I  wrote  my  last,  I  have  abundantly  succeeded  in 


258 


MEMOIRS  OF  THE 


Staffa  and  lona.  No  words  can  express  the  astonishing  subli- 
mity, beauty,  grandeur,  and  unique  character  of  the  former ;  or 
the  deep  and  affecting  interest  excited  by  the  ruins  and  associa- 
tions of  the  latter  island.  I  slept  four  nights  therein,  in  a  little 
hut,  such  as  you  never  saw,  amid  the  venerable  ruins  of  all  the 
great  literary  aud  religious  establishments  of  ancient  days,  when 
lona  was  the  fountain  or"  learning  and  piety  to  all  Europe.  I 
preached  thrice  on  Sanday  se'nnsght,  to  such  a  group  of  poor 
islanders,  in  such  a  poor  place,  as  you  cannot  easily  conceive  ; 
and  between  the  services,  I  went  and  locked  myself  up,  for 
affectmg  meditation,  amidst  the  rijins  of  the  once  grand  cathe- 
dral of  St.  Columba;  and  walked  upon  the  graves  of  number- 
less kings  of  Scotland,  Ireland  ;iad  Vorv.'ay, — lords  of  the  isles, 
chieftains  of  all  the  clans,  bishops,  priors,  abbesses,  nuns,  and 
friars — who  lie  here  in  wild  confusion,  mingled  with  the  poor 
forefathers  of  the  present  isian  lers.  By  day,  the  sun  shone — 
and  by  night  a  lovely  moon  illumuiated  the  splendid  panorama 
of  ocean,  eighteen  islands,  innumerable  mountains,  ranges  of 
vast  rocks,  ruins,  peasant's  huts,  ships,  boats,  and  a  countless 
group  of  other  interesting  objects.  As  but  a  small  part  of  these- 
poor  lonians  can  understand  English,  I  preached  to  them  by  an 
internreter,  sentence  by  sentence :  a  pious  schoolmaster,  who 
is  a  blessing  to  the  island,  translating  all  I  said.  Never  did  I 
see  such  a  sight-,  nor  feel  such  a  feeling  before.  I  am  trying  to 
raise  a  subscription,  to  build  thc-se  poor  islanders  a  school-room : 
it  will  indeed  be  a  work  of  charity.  When  I  first  beheld  the 
cave  of  Fingal,  in  Staffa.  I  knew  not  whether  to  close  my  lips 
in  mute  astonishment,  or  to  fall  down  and  pray  to  the  true  God 
of  such  a  temple.  I  wanted  new  faculties  for  such  a  new  de- 
monstration of  almighty  power.  As  I  went  thither,  the  sea  was 
rolling  immense  waves ;  and  we  went  up  and  down  into  watery 
hills  and  valleys  :  but  a  calm  succeeded  as  we  arrived  at  Staffa." 

Letter  to  Mr.  Higgins,  of  Turvey  Abbey,  on  the  same  sub- 
ject :— 

I  have  enjoyed  a  fine  view  of  the  Highlands,  and  several  of 
the  islands  of  Scotland.  No  prints  or  drawings  can  give  more 
than  a  very  feeble  idea  of  Staffa.  It  exceeded  all  my  expecta- 
tions, which  were  wrought  very  high.  It  is  grand,  beautiful,  sin- 
gular, efficient  in  th*^  highest  degree  ;  but  often  difficult  to  reach. 
AVith  lona  I  was  deeply  interested,  in  quite  a  different  way, — 
in  relation  to  its  ruins  and  past  history,  its  present  moral  and  re- 
ligious necessities — and,  I  hope  its  approaching  improvement. 
1  hope  to  build  them  a  school :  I  have  raised  a  subscription  for 


REV.  LEGH  RICHMOND.  259 

ihe  purpose.  Finely  as  the  lowlands  and  some  parts  of  the 
Highlands  are  circumstanced,  in  regard  to  education,  other 
parts  need  much  to  be  done,  and  especially  the  islands,  which 
have  been  neglected  ;  but  an  active  spirit  is  beginning  to  arise 
for  their  amelioration. 

"The  scenery  of  the  islands  and  western  shores  of  Scotland 
is  very  superb  and  interesting  :  I  met  with  a  great  deal  more 
fine  ivij  upon  the  castle  ruins,  in  various  places,  than  I  think  fell 
to  your  lot.  The  scene  along  the  Caledonian  canal,  from  the 
island  of  Zismore  to  Inverness,  is  of  the  very  first  class.  Ben 
Nevis,  rising  directly  4370  feet  t>om  the  sea  at  its  foot,  is  a  no- 
ble hill ;  and  the  Fail  of  Foyers,  200  feet  perpendicular,  on 
Loch  Ness,  is  a  complete  specimen  of  the  grand  and  beautiful 
as  a  cascade. 

"  My  daughter  Mary  has  found  so  many  valuable  friends  in 
Scotland,  that  she  is  persuaded  to  pass  the  winter  with  them  ; 
and  is  enjoying  a  netreat  in  a  beautiful  spot  on  the  banks  of  the 
Clyde,  with  a  clergyrran  and  his  lady,  (a  sister  of  Lord  B.)  who 
combine  the  truly  Christian  character  with  every  other  good  and 
ornamental  qualification.    I  have  consented  to  this  visit. 

"  I  have  had  much  business,  both  of  a  private  and  public  na- 
ture, on  my  hands  during  my  absence  ;  but  on  the  whole,  have 
been  very  well.  Travellmg  contributes  much  to  my  general 
health  and  strength. 

"  Present  my  kind  and  pastoral  regards  to  Mrs.  H.  and  your 
family ;  and  every  good  wish  for  their  temporal,  spiritual,  and 
eternal  welfare." 

About  this  time,  Mr.  Richmond  opened  a  communication  with 
the  Duke  of  Argyle,  the  owner  of  the  island  of  lona,  after  he 
had  raised  70/.  amongst  his  friends.  The  duke,  it  appears, 
chose  to  erect  the  proposed  building  at  his  own  expense. 

The  following  extracts  from  a  letter  written  to  the  editor  by 
Mr.  Pitcairn,  contains  all  the  information  on  this  subject  which 
we  have  been  able  to  collect. 
i 

.  "  Much  of  my  correspondence  with  Mr.  Richmond  was  re- 
specting a  fund  which  he  had  collected  for  erecting  a  new  school- 
room at  lona.  This  was  afterwards  rendered  unnecessary,  as 
:he  Duke  of  Argyle  built  the  house  entirely  at  his  own  expense. 
Mr.  Richmond  contemplated  the  appropriation  of  the  money 
raised  for  lona,  to  a  nobler  purpose  than  that  of  a  building.  He 
died,  however,  before  a  plan  was  adjusted.  Mr.  Hepb^rne  is 
he  treasurer,  and  I  am  secretary  to  this  fund.    We  are  now 


^60 


MEMOIRS  OF  THE 


making  arrangements  with  the  society  in  Scotland  for  propa- 
gating Christian  Knowledge,  and  with  whom  the  money  is  to  be 
vested  in  trust ;  and  the  interest  appHed  annually  for  the  moral 
and  religious  benefit  to  lona.  We  are  thus  endeavouring  to 
carry  into  effect  Mr.  Richmond's  benevolent  design." 

It  is  with  unfeigned  satisfaction  that  we  hail  the  dawn  of 
Zona's  recovery  of  her  ancient  privileges  ;  but  we  trust  the  ef- 
fort will  not  rest  here.  WTien  we  contemplate  this  once  cele- 
brated isle,  the  ancient  seat  of  piety  and  civilization  ;  formerly 
actively  engaged  in  dispensing  to  others  the  blessings  by  which 
it  was  so  highly  distinguished  ;  and  when  we  contrast  these  pri-  ■ 
vileges  with  its  present  state  of  religious  destitution  ;  we  con- 
fess that  we  are  unable  to  repress  the  emotions  awakened  by 
such  a  recollection.  Shall  a  population  of  450  immortal  beings 
be  left  destitute  of  the  means  of  grace,  and  of  the  appointment 
of  a  regular  ministry  ?  Shall  "  she  who  was  great  among  the 
nations,  and  princess  among  the  provinces,  sit  solitary  and  be- 
come as  a  widow  ?"  We  call  on  the  sons  of  Caledonia  to  fulfil 
a  solemn  act  of  duty — we  would  remind  them  of  their  obliga- 
tions to  this  illustrious  isle,  and  point  to  the  broken  fragments  of 
its  temples,  which  seem  to  say,  "  why  repair  ye  not  the  breaches 
of  the  Lord's  house  ?"  We  are  disposed  to  believe,  if  an  ap- 
peal at  this  time  were  made  to  the  Christian  public,  both  in  Scot- 
land and  England,  that  it  would  not  be  despised.  To  Mr.  Rich- 
mond's visit,  lona  owes  her  school-house.  We  cannot  refrain 
from  indulging  the  pious  wish,  that  to  his  Memoir  she  might  be 
indebted  for  a  still  higher  blessing,  the  establishment  of  a  regu- 
lar ministry  1 

We  must  not  extend  the  detail  of  these  tours  beyond  the  pre- 
sent limits  :  other  subjects  demand  attention.  Mr.  Richmond's 
journals  abound  with  the  most  grateful  recollections  and  honour- 
able mention  of  his  friends  in  Scotland.  Indeed,  it  were  impos- 
sible that  such  a  heart  should  not  feel  deeply  the  kind  hospi- 
tality every  where  shewn  him,  and  the  generous  manner  in  which 
the  English  missions  were  encouraged  and  supported.  Though 
delicacy  forbids  us  to  publish  these  warm  expressions  of  his 
gratitude  and  love,  and  restrains  us  from  specifying  the  objects 
of  his  praise,  we  cannot  retrace  our  steps  homewards  without 
making  one  remark.  In  the  record  of  those  journeys  there  ap- 
pears a  uniform  acknowledgment  of  the  liberality  and  m'banity . 
of  his  brethren  in  Scotland,  without  even  one  solitary  exception 
to  occasion  regret. 


REV.  LEGH  RICHMOND. 


261 


This  unity  of  spirit  in  the  bond  of  peace,"  is  highly  credit- 
able to  the  Episcopalian  and  his  brethren  of  the  Presbytery. 
The  editor  would  throw  himself  upon  the  candour  of  the  reader 
for  dwelling  so  much  and  so  frequently,  in  the  course  of  the 
Memoir,  on  the  subject  of  Christian  charity.  But  the  schisms 
of  the  church  of  God  are  very  painful  to  his  mind,  and  the  sub- 
ject of  his  daily  prayer.  He  knows  no  greater  joy  than  to  per- 
ceive the  family  of  his  Lord  and  Saviour,  however  scattered  in 
distant  lands,  and  somewhat  separated  by  the  warpings  of  edu- 
cation and  habits,  or  by  the  infirmities  of  a  fallen  nature,  che- 
rishing "  the  same  love,  being  of  one  accord,  of  one  mind," 
"doing  nothing  through  strife  or  vain  glory,  but  in  lowliness  of 
mind  esteeming  each  other  better  than  themselves."* 

On  his  return  from  the  North,  Mr.  Richmond  passed  through 
Stockport,  at  the  time  when  radical  opinions  disturbed  the  coun- 
try. In  consequence  of  his  lameness,  he  was  never  able  to  walk 
far  without  resting.  He  was  leaning  on  his  stick  and  looking 
about  him,  when  a  poor  fellow  ran  up  to  him  and  offered  his 
hand,  inquiring  with  considerable  earnestness,  "  pray,  sir,  are 
you  a  radical  ?"  "  Yes,  rny  friend,"  replied  Mr.  Richmond,  "  I 
am  a  radical,  a  thorough  radical."  "Then,"  isaid  the  man, 
"  give  me  your  hand.'  "Stop,  sir,  stop  ;  I  must  explain  my- 
self :  we  all  need  a  radical  reformation,  our  hearts  are  full  of 
disorders  ;  the  root  and  principle  within  us  is  altogether  corrupt. 
Let  you  and  I  mend  matters  there  ;  and  then  all  will  be  well, 
and  we  shall  cease  to  complaia  of  the  times  and  the  government." 
"  Right,  sir,"  replied  the  radical,  "you  are  right,  sir;"  and  bowing 
respectfully,  he  retired. 

Mr.  Richmond  had  ever  a  strong  antipathy  to  political  conten- 
tion ;  nor  could  he  be  prevailed  on  to  vote  at  an  election  with- 
out extreme  reluctance.  He  used  to  say,  "  a  religious  man  is 
never  more  out  of  his  place,  nor  in  greater  danger  of  losing  his 

*  Legh  Richmond,  in  this  respect,  exhibited  throughout  his  life  a  decided  pre- 
eminence. He  seemed  to  carry  along  with  him  an  atmosphere  ot  his  own  ; 
and,  in  his  society,  peculiarities  for  the  most  part  yielded  to  the  softening  in- 
fluence of  true  affection.  The  editor  remembers  a  pleasing  anecdote,  which 
strikingly  exemplifies  his  friend's  happy  manner  of  meeting  the  asperities  of  very 
rugged  natures.  He  was  once  conversing  with  a  brother  clergyman,  on  the 
case  of  a  poor  man  who  had  acted  inconsistently  with  his  religious  profession. 
After  some  angry  and  severe  remarks,  the  gentleman  with  whom  he  was  dis- 
cussing the  case,  concluded  by  saying,  "  I  have  no  notion  of  such  conduct ;  f 
will  have  nothing  to  do  with  him."  "  Nay,  brother,"  observed  Mr.  Richmond, 
"  let  us  be  more  charitable  in  our  judgment ;  for  with  opportunity  on  the  one 
hand,  and  Satan  at  the  other^  and  the  grace  of  God  at  neither,  where  should  yo\{ 
and  I  be 


23 


262 


MEMOIRS  OF  THE 


piety,  than  in  the  squabbles  of  politics."  The  following  hu' 
morons  epistle  to  his  friend  Mr.  P.,  well  explains  his  senti- 
ments on  this  subject. 

'*  My  dear  Sir, — I  always  tremble  when  religion  and  politics 
clash  their  chariot  wheels  together.  I  once  saw  a  post-chaise 
overtake  another  post-chaise ;  the  foremost  was  going  gently 
and  peaceably  onward;  the  hindmost  rather  furiously:  at  the 
instant  of  near  approach  (rather  too  near,  you  will  say,)  the 
fore  wheel  ^f  the  latter  caught  fast  hold  of  the  inner  circum- 
ference of  the  hind  wheel  of  the  former.  For  a  few  paces  the 
two  chaises  went  on,  m  awkward  partnership,  till  at  length  all 
four  horses  took  alarm,  and  set  off  at  full  speed,  compelling  the 
tottering  carriages  to  go  as  fast  as  themselves  ;  which  tiiey  did, 
till  one  was  overturned  with  the  loss  of  a  wheel,  and  the  other 
dashed  onward  in  a  full  career  of  ungovernable  rapidity.  It 
was  soon  out  of  sight,  so  I  know  not  what  became  of  it.  This 
was  the  political  vehicle.  Poor  religion  lay  smashed  in  the 
ditch,  and  the  passengers  at  length  put  their  heads  out  of  the 
window,  and  cried,  '  help  us  out  of  the  ditch.'  We  did  so, 
and  they  crept  slowly  on  foot  to  the  next  village,  to  collect  ham, 
beef,  beer,  and  experience." 

Legh  Richmond's  correspondents  were  numerous.  It  is  truly 
wonderful  that  he  could  find  time  for  a  few  lines  to  each  of  them. 
When  absent  from  home,  he  not  only  wrote  to  his  wife  and 
every  one  of  his  children  ;  but  to  the  tutor  of  his  boys  ;  to  the 
curate  who  supplied  his  church  ;  and  to  his  parishioners.  We 
have  not  room  for  many  specimens.  The  following  are  no  dis- 
credit to  his  memory. 

"  Lutterworth,  JVb«.  13,  1S22. 
"  My  dear  Friend,* — I  throw  myself  on  your  Christian  feel- 
ings of  charity  once  more.  I  have  done  wrong  in  what  I  have 
written  ;  I  pray  you  to  forgive  me.  My  real,  true,  and  only  ex- 
cuse is,  that  my  anxious  feelings  for  the  parish,  and  my  high  ap- 
probation of  your  character  and  conduct  amongst  the  people, 
made  me  under-rate  your  objections ;  1  did  not  think  them  of 
sufficient  weight,  and  I  was  sincerely  and  honestly  fearful  that 
you  had  some  other  reason,  in  which  I  was  personally  implica- 
ted, and  which  your  delicacy  did  not  like  to  name.  I  now  believe 
otherwise,  and  I  hope  you  will  receive  my  acknowledgment  of 


*  The  Re\.  Mr.  R  ,  at  that  time  his  curate. 


REV.  LEGH  RICHMOND. 


26s 


my  error  in  the  same  spirit  wherein  it  is  offered  to  you.  Do  not 
let  it  influence  you  in  any  part  of  your  feelings  or  conduct  to- 
wards me.  You  httle  know  the  heart  with  which  you  have  to 
do,  if  you  think  that,  except  under  an  enoneous  in.pression,  I 
could  wound  any  one.  much  les.s  a  friend  and  brother,  and  one 
whom  I  <o  cordially  esteem  and  love.  1  fancied  that  it  ^^as  }  our 
nerves,  and  not  yourself  that  shrank  from  the  path  m  whii  h  I 
hoped  Providence  had  placed  you  ;  and  thereloie  I  wrote  as  I 
did.  Once  more,  fortjive  me.  My  wife  can  tell  you  how  much 
I  suffered  in  my  mind  betbre  you  arrived.  1  looked  to  your 
coming  as  a  great  comfort — I  found  it  so.  Everything  went 
on  well ;  I  thouaht  that  after  a  year's  trial  and  acquaintance  w  ith 
the  people,  you  would  be  the  very  man  to  succeed  in  my  absence. 
I  built  upon  this  hope,  and  imagined  that  1  could  remove  the 
difficulties  which,  on  a  short  and  cursory  view.  afl'e(  ted  yt>ur 
mind.  I  tried  to  do  so. — I  failed  ; — the  fabric  of  my  b<  pe 
seemed  to  totter, — my  spirits  sank  : — I  fancied  there  ^^'as  more 
of  fancy  than  argument  in  your  reasons  for  going.  These  con- 
siderations disappointed  me,  and  excited  my  solicitude.  I  was 
crossed  in  all  my  hopes  and  plans  tor  the  next  year.  Even  the 
parental  desire  to  visit  my  daughter  in  Scotland,  by  leaving  a 
tried  and  accepted  friend  at  home,  seemed  to  be  blighted.  Put 
all  these  things  together,  and  I  think  you  will  the  more  readily 
throw  a  mantle  of  charitable  forgiveness  over  the  iaults  and  mis- 
takes of  your  friend.  On  the  receipt  of  this,  \\hich  I  send  open 
as  a  part  of  my  letter  to  Mrs.  R.,  talk  to  her  treely  about  it ;  and 
may  every  unea^^y  feeling,  either  in  your  or  hers,  or  my  own 
mind,  be  done  away.  So  far  as  concerns  my  correspondence, 
this  letter  contains  my  heart  and  mind  ;  cancel  every  other. 

"  I  trust  that  you  are  sparing  yourself,  agreeably  to  my  re- 
C[uest,  in  regard  to  any  of  the  meetings,  which  have  pressed  on 
your  strength  and  spirits.  Shorten  the  evening  chancel  lectures ; 
take  care  of  yourself,  yet  be  at  ease  in  so  doing.  An  unexpect- 
ed, but  important  proposition  has  been  made  to  me  relative  to 
some  sermons  tor  next  Sunday,  and  \\hieh  may  possibly  prevent 
my  return  before.  It  is  yet  unsettled,  and  waits  the  arrival  ot  a 
letter  to-morrow  ;  but  I  will  mention  the  result  as  soon  as  I 
know  it  myself  , 

"  Accept,  for  myself,  the  most  sincere  assurance  of  my  high 
and  unfeigned  esteem  for  you  and  your  ministry  ;  my  cordial 
'prayers  for  your  welfare,  both  in  mind  and  body  and  estate  :  my 
anxious  regret  that  our  connexion  must  not  be  of  a  more  lasting 
continuance  ;  and  my  belief  that  you  have  entertained  a  real 
ajjd  unmixed  regard  and  respect  for  your  unworthy  friend.  I 


264 


MEMOIRS  OF  THE 


can  add  no  more  than  prayers  ior  your  happiness,  and  a  hope 
that  your  next  partner  in  the  ministry  may  as  highly  appreciate 
your  services,  and  give  you  as  tully  his  heart,  as  ooet — lour  af- 
fectionate friend  and  brother, 

*•  Legh  Richmond." 

"  My  dear  Friend, — Had  I  not  frequently  heard  of  you,  and 
of  the  satisfactory  manner  in  which  you  and  the  boys  were  going 
on,  from  my  daughters,  I  should  have  written  to  you  beSore,  a 
letter  of  inquiry  and  friendship.  Accept  a  tew  lines  now  ,  how- 
ever, for  the  sake  of  both.  1  can  assure  you  that  no  object  lies 
nearer  to  my  heart  than  the  welfare  of  my  .^ons,  in  whom  the 
treasury  of  my  affections  and  conscientious  desires  is  greatly 
bound  up.  1  often,  very  often,  look  with  trembling  rega  d  on 
the  future,  as  it  concerns  them  ;  and  were  there  not  a  throne  of 
grace  for  them  and  for  me,  I  know  not  how  I  sh('uid  bear  up 
under  many  a  drooping  feeling.  You  now  see  and  know  them, 
and,  I  am  persuaded,  feel  an  interest  in  all  that  respects  them» 
Tell  me  a  little  of  the  progress  and  general  conduct  of  each, 
and  be  assured  of  the  confidence  which  I  repose  in  your  consci- 
entious assiduity  and  friendly  affection  towards  them  and  us. 
You,  my  friend,  know  tht.  value  of  an  immortal  souL  and  can 
unite  its  (jrosperity  with  every  other  consideration  :  you  feel  it 
for  yourself,  and  can  feel  it  for  others.  You  know  something  of 
the  snares  and  vices  of  the  world  by  which  we  are  surrounded, 
and  can  enter  into  the  temptations  by  which  youths  are  constantly 
endangered  ;  you  are  not  ignorant  of  the  inward  plague  of  the 
natural  heart,  and  of  ti  e  need  there  is  for  prayer  and  watchful- 
ness, to  preserve  it  from  manifesting  its  evils  in  a  thousand  ways. 
I  can,  therefore,  and  1  do,  feel  a  peculiar  satisfaction  in  con- 
templating your  office  as  connected  v^ith  your  principles.  The 
time  is  now  at  hand  when  1  trust,  in  the  bosom  of  my  family  and 
parish,  to  cultivate  more  intimacy  and  friendship  with  you  than 
circumstances  have  recently  permitted  :  and  to  share  with  you 
the  anxious  task  of  rearing  up  young  minds  for  heaven.  I  have 
had  much  interesting  matter  for  contemplation  during  this  jour- 
ney, on  the  beauties  of  nature  as  well  as  of  grace.  I  have 
taken  a  wide  range  of  scenery  in  Scotland,  jn  the  Hebrides, 
and  the  North-east  coast  of  Ireland  ;  it  is  no  easy  task  to  detail 
or  describe  such  objects*,  with  all  their  combinations  and  effects  ; 
but  they  leave  a  valuable  impression  on  the  mind  that  seeks  God 
in  the  midst  of  them.  It  is  delightful  to  worship  Him  in  the 
temple  of  creation,  and  to  catch  from  psalmists  and  prophets 
the  happy  art  of  elucidating  his  works  of  redeeming  love,  by 


REV.  LEGH  RICHMOND. 


265 


illustrations  and  arguments  drawn  from  his  wonders  and  beauties 
in  the  natural  world.  I  will,  hereafter,  try  to  tell  you  something 
of  these  thino^s,  and  to  brighten  the  gloom  of  our  winter  horizon 
by  some  of  my  .Xorthern  lights.  I  have  also  seen  some  very 
lovely  instances  of  the  power  of  divine  grace  on  the  hearts  of 
individuals  and  people.  It  is  a  very  delightful  consideration, 
that  the  same  God  and  the  same  Redeemer  reigns  every  where, 
and  produces  the  same  effects  in  heart  and  life.  "^^  hat  reason 
have  we  to  mourn  over  our  slow  growth  under  so  many  advan- 
tages ! 

"  Be  pleased  to  give  my  kind  love  to  Mr.  Renton,  and  tell 
hira  that  I  received  his  letter  subsequently  to  mine  leaving  this. 
I  shall  be  happy  if  he  can,  even  for  two  or  three  days,  give  me 
the  comfort  of  his  society  beyond  the  12th  of  August.  Can 
you  tell  me  where  he  is  going  ?  He  forgot,  in  his  letter,  to 
mention  the  name  of  the  place  and  clergyman  whose  church  he 
is  to  serve.  Give  my  love  to  the  boys  :  accept  of  mine  and 
Mrs.  Richmond's  assurances  of  esteem  and  regard  ; — And  be- 
heve  me,  faithfully,  yours, 

"  Legh  Richmond." 

Pastoral  letter,  addressed  to  his  parishioners  at  Turvey. 

"  My  dear  Friends, — Although  distance  may  lor  a  season 
produce  silence,  it  cannot  cause  forgetfulness  in  my  heart.  As 
it  concerns  you,  I  can  truly  say  that  your  spiritual  welfare  and 
temporal  comfort  form  the  subject  of  prayers  constantly  offered 
up  at  the  throne  of  ^race.  It  has  pleased  the  Lord  to  bring  us 
safe  to  our  dear  child,  whom  we  found  better  than  we  could  have 
expected,  considering  the  illness  and  sufferings  through  which 
she  has  been  carried.  Great  joy  attended  our  meeting,  and 
the  affections  of  nature  and  grace  were  called  into  no  small 
exercise.  I  desire  to  praise  Him  for  the  past,  and  trust  Him 
for  the  future.  Many  of  you  have  had  abounding  proofs  of 
God's  mercy  and  goodness  in  the  hour  of  need,  and  have  been 
brought  '  through  fire  and  through  water  into  a  wealthy  place.' 
May  the  recollections  of  such  benefits  keep  you  humble,  make 
you  thankful,  and  render  you  meet  for  the  inheritance  of  the 
saints  in  light !  As  we  journeyed  hither,  we  saw  many  lovely 
scenes  amongst  the  mountains,  lakes,  rivers,  and  waterfalls  of 
nature  ;  and  they  reminded  us  of  the  far  greater  beauties  of  ho- 
liness in  Him  who  made  them  all,  and  gives  us  many  a  Gospel 
lesson  in  the  works  of  creation.  We  are  now  in  a  vast  city, 
containing  above  150,000  inhabitants.    Much  grace  prevail^ 

23* 


266 


MEMOIRS  OF  THE 


here  ;  and  also,  in  such  a  multitude,  much  evil.  What  need 
we  have  to  pray  for  the  universal  reign  of  Christian  principles 
in  all  hearts  ;  for  the  day  when  Glasgow  and  London,  and  Tuv- 
vey  may  present  nothing  but  a  population  of  the  true  followers 
of  the  Lord  Jesus.  When  and  how  shall  this  come  to  pass  ? 
Times  and  seasons  are  in  the  Lord's  hand,  but  the  means  of 
grace  are  put  int:>  ours.  And  I  know  of  no  means  so  imme- 
diately likely  to  promote  the  great  event  of  general  conversion, 
as  the  lively,  steadfast,  and  exemplary  conduct  of  Christian 
professors.  I  w  »uld  wish  to  impress  this  stionaly  upon  every 
one  of  your  minds  :  you  are  answerable  to  God  for  the  con- 
duct of  every  hour,  not  only  as  it  may  affect  your  own  individual 
state,  but  as  it  may,  and  must  respect  your  families,  your 
neighbours,  and  the  church  of  God.  The  increase  and  pros- 
perity of  young  converts,  is  closely  connected  with  the  manner 
in  which  older  professors  of  religion  so  let  their  light  shine  be- 
fore them,  that  they,  seeing  their  good  works,  may  glorify  their 
Father  which  is  in  heaven.  Be  a  united  people  ;  give  no  place 
to  unkind  suspicions,  or  jealousies,  or  words.  Remember  the 
golden  rule,  '  even  so  do  ye  unto  others  as  ye  would  that  they 
should  do  unto  you.'  Keep  your  eye  and  your  heart  steadily 
fixed  upon  the  cross  of  the  Lord  Jesus  Christ.  Walk  happily, 
by  walking  wisely  and  holily.  Maintain  family  prayer  and  in- 
struction in  your  households,  whenever  it  is  practicable  ;  and 
where  it  is  not,  be  more  earnest  in  secret  prayer  for  the  removal 
of  all  hindrances.  Keep  together  as  a  people  ;  encourage  no 
divisions  which  break  the  peace  of  the  church,  and  injure  weak 
souls  by  many  false  delusions.  A  good  Christian  is  a  steady 
one.  You  that  are  in  trouble,  cast  your  cares  upon  the  Lord, 
knowing  that  he  careth  for  you.  If  God  be  with  you,  who  can 
be  against  you  ?  Think  over  past  mercies,  and  see  on  whom 
you  ought  to  trust.  Do  not  dishonour  Him  by  unbelieving 
doubts.  He  is  faithful  that  has  promised.  May  God  answer 
my  prayer  for  unity,  peace,  and  concord.  Hearken  to  the  word 
of  truth,  from  the  lips  of  my  faithful  fellow-labourer :  strengthen 
his  hands  and  encourage  his  heart.  Pray  much  for  me  ;  I  need 
it,  for  my  labours  are  many,  and  I  am  weak  :  but  the  Lord  is 
my  strength.  God  bless  every  one  of  you  :  and  may  we,  if 
God  will,  meet  again  in  love  and  holy  resolution.  So  prays 
your  affectionate  pastor, 

"  Legh  Richmond." 

It  was  during  one  of  Mr.  Richmond's  excursions  to  Scotland, 
that  he  arranged  for  publication  the  very  interesting  diary  and 


REV.  LEGH  RICHMOND. 


267 


Letter  on  the  Principles  of  the  Christian  Faith,"  composed 
by  Miss  Sinclair,  eldest  daughter  of  the  Right  Hon.  Sir  John 
Sinclair,  Bart.;  who  died  on  the  22d  May,  1818.  There  are 
few  of  our  readers,  we  presume,  who  have  not  read  the  above 
production,  addressed  by  Miss  Sinclair  to  one  of  her  younger 
sisters,  without  any  intention  of  its  meeting  the  public  eye,  or 
aiming  at  any  thing  beyond  the  private  edification  of  her  sister. 
It  contains  a  very  clear,  scriptural,  and  able  exposition  of  the 
principles  of  the  Christian  faith,  accompanied  by  remarks  which 
shewed  the  influence  of  those  principles  in  her  own  heart.  At 
the  request  of  the  family,  a  memoir  of  Miss  Sinclair  was  prefixed 
to  the  publication,  by  Mr.  Richmond.  It  is  foreign  to  our  pur- 
pose to  enter  into  any  review  of  this  interestinir  httle  work, 
which  details  the  early  growth  and  progress  of  divine  grace  in 
the  heart  of  this  young  lady,  who  appears  to  have  united  the 
attainments  of  genuine  piety  with  the  endowments  of  the  most 
cultivated  mind.  We  have  much  pleasure  in  subjoining  the  fol- 
lowing testimony,  as  one  of  the  many  in>tances  of  usefulness 
arising  from  the  perusal  of  this  little  memoir:  — 

"  Rev.  Sir, — Being  informed  that  you  are  writing  the  life  of 
Mr.  Richmond,  I  beg,  through  the  medium  of  my  much  esteem- 
ed friend  Mr.  F.  to  inform  you,  how  greatly  I  am  indebted  to 
the  memoir  of  Miss  Hannah  Sinclair.  1  trust  it  is  from  no  os- 
tentatious wish  to  see  my  name  in  print,  that  I  allude  to  the 
blessed  change  in  my  views  and  principles.  Yet  I  do  wish  to 
give  publicity  to  the  little  volume  by  which  my  mind  was  first 
drawn  to  the  true  principles  of  the  word  of  God,  and  my  heart 
rightly  impressed  by  them.  I  would  pay  a  tribute  of  respect  to 
the  memory  of  one  who  must  be  ever  dear  to  my  recollection, 
for  benefits  received  from  that  excellent  letter  of  Hannah  Sin- 
clair ;  and  I  anx'^usly  desire  that  her  valuable  memoir  by  Mr. 
Richmond,  may  be  read  with  the  same  delight  and  benefit  which 
accompanied  niv  perusal  of  it. — I  am,  &c. 

"  H.  Phipps." 


26B 


MEMOIRS  OF  THE 


CHAPTER  XV. 

Death  of  his  infant — Marriage  of  his  eldest  daughter — Visit  to 
the  JVorth  of  Ireland — Texts  on  the  walls  of  his  church — Ex- 
tract of  a  letter  to  his  daughter  F — . — Isle  of  Wight  tour — 
Pastoral  letter — Journal — His  son  Ifilberforce^s  illness  and 
death — Marriage  of  his  daughter  H — .  — NugenVs  ship- 
loreckj  and  death — Jlpocryphal  question — Mr.  Richmond's 
opinion  on  the  mode  of  preaching  to  the  Jews — Journey  to 
Cromer — -Conversation  with  the  editor — Meditation  in  his 
study. 

In  the  spring  of  1821  Mr.  Richmond  lost  his  infant  child. 
He  gives  the  account  of  this  event  in  a  letter  to  his  daughter ; 
and  he  composed  a  copy  of  verses,  to  soothe  the  feelings  of  the 
mother. 


Dear  Mary, — Our  dear  delicate  baby  has  taken  his  flight  to 
a  happier  world  !  I  write  beside  his  unspeakably  beautiful  re- 
mains. Of  all  my  twelve  babes,  I  never  clung  to  one  like  this — 
perhaps,  because  I  never  expected  his  life.  He  was  formed  for 
a  higher  state  than  this,  and  is  taken  away  from  the  evil  to  come. 
He  had  an  inflammation  on  the  chest  for  a  few  days.  He  died 
in  my  arms — lovelier  than  the  loveliest,  calmer  than  the  calmest. 
His  previously  languid  eye  suddenly  illumined  into  heavenly 
brightness  and  vigour :  it  looked  at  me  with  full  intelligence-— 
seemed  to  say,  *  Farewell !  I  am  going  to  Jesus  !' — and  he  was 
gone." 

HYMN  FOR  AN  INFANT'S  FUNERAL. 

Hark !  how  the  angels,  as  they  fly, 
Sing  through  the  regions  of  the  sky  ; 
Bearing  an  infant  in  their  arms, 
Securely  freed  from  sin's  alarms  : — 

Welcome,  dear  babe,  to  Jesu's  breast — 
For  ever  there  in  joy  to  rest : 
Welcome  to  Jesu's  courts  above. 
To  sing  thy  great  Redeemer's  love  ! 

"  We  left  the  heavens,  and  flew  to  earth, 
To  watch  thee  at  thy  mortal  birth  : 
Obedient  to  thy  Saviour's  will, 
We  stayed  to  love  and  guard  thee  stilK 


REV.  LEGH  RICHMOND. 


269 


"We  thy  proiecting  angels  came, 
To  see  ihee  blessed  in  Jesu's  name  ; 
A\"hen  the  baptismal  seal  u  as  given, 
To  mark  tiiee,  child,  an  heir  ol'  heaven. 

"  U  hen  ihe  resistless  call  of  death 
Bade  thee  resign  u.y  iniani  breath — 
When  parents  uepl,  and  thou  didst  smile, 
We  were  tuy  guardians  ali  the  whde. 

"  Sow,  with  the  iighmmg's  sp(.ed,  we  bear 
The  child  commitied  to  our  care  ; 
Witl;  an  hems  such  as  angels  sing, 
We4y  to  bear  tliee  to  our  King." 

Thu.  sweetly  borne,  he  flies  to  rest  : 
We  know  'tis  vscli — nay  more,  'tis  best 
When  we  our  pilgrims'  path  have  trod, 
Oh  !  may  we  find  him  with  our  God  I 

We  have  already  noticed  that  Mr.  Richmond,  in  his  tour  to 
Scotland,  left  his  eldest  daughter  to  the  care  of  Dr.  and  Mrs.  S., 
who  resided  near  Glasgow.  It  was  there  that  an  attachment 
was  formed  between  Miss  Richmond  and  a  clergyman  of  the 
Established  Church  of  Scotland,  whose  profession  and  charac- 
ter rendered  the  connexion  a  source  of  peculiar  gratification. 
He  alludes  to  this  circumstance  in  the  following  letter  to  one  of 
his  daughters : — 

"  My  dear  Love, — Was  not  this  the  day  on  which  you  were 
born  ?  hy,  then.  I  must  now  w  ish  you  many  happy  returns  of 
it.  But  will  they  be  happy,  if  you  be  not  holy  ?  How  I  long  to 
see  my  dear  F.  still  more  decided — more  spiritual — more  given 
to  holy  thoughts,  words,  and  works.  Let  not  your  mind  be  run 
away  with  by  any  thing  that  will  steal  your  heart  from  God. 
3jake  no  idols  of  books  that  carry  awa^  the  imagination.  I 
will  give  you  a  rule  to  judge  whether  an  author  is  domg  you 
good  : — Go  directly  ftom  your  bock,  and  open  your  Bible  ;  and, 
without  partiality  or  hypocrisy,  say  which  you  embrace  with  the 
most  delight.  The  answer  will  always  shew  the  state  of  your 
mmd,  and  the  profitableness  and  lawfulness  of  the  book. 

Become  more  serious.  I  am  much  pleased  with  the  con- 
scientious prin(  iples  and  behaviour  of  Mary  and  Mr.  M.,  in 
their  intercourse.  He  is  a  true  Christian,  and  most  affec- 
tionately attached  to  her.  His  view  of  faith  anij  practice  ex- 
actly accord  with  my  own  :  he  is  too  good  a  man  to  be  light  and 
trifling  on  such  a  solemn  subject  as  a  nuptial  engagement.  Ma- 
ry's mind  is  sacredly  and  steadfastly  made  up,  to  love,  honour, 
and  obey  him,  as  the  partner  of  her  heart,  and  the  spouse  of  her 


270 


MEMOIRS  OP  THE 


conscience.  Oh  !  pray  for  the  dear  girl,  and  treat  the  question 
with  sacred  cheert'uhiess.    My  visit  to  Glasgow  was  blessed  to 

the  cultivation  of  pure  regard  and  esteem  with  all  the  M  s.  I 

can  resign  her,  with  full  hope  and  conridence,  into  God's  hands. 
Do  you  the  same  ;  and  whtin  we  return  home,  seek  more  oppor- 
tunities of  useful  conversation.  Attend,  m  the  course  of  every 
day  and  hour,  to  the  growth  of  your  best  and  most  ennobling 
principles  of  action.  Mu<  h,  very  much  time,  which  might  be 
employed  in  an  inc  reasing  meetness  for  the  inheritance  of  the 
saints  in  light,  is,  I  fear,  lost,  ihese  things  ought  not  so  t(»  be, 
my  dear  child.  lime  is  short,  eleinity  is  at  hand.  It  is  a  hard 
thing  to  be  saved  at  all ;  and  every  lost  hour,  every  idle  word, 
every  neglected  opportunity,  makes  it  more  hard.  It  is  a  strait 
gate  and  narrow  way  to  heaven,  and  (comparatively)  few  there 
be  that  find  it. 

"  Never  be  without  a  book,  in  daily  reading,  of  a  direct  spu 
Htual  and  devotional  tendency;  one  that  will  make  the  vanities  of 
time  and  sense  appear  unworthy  of  your  notice.  Always  maintain 
with  some  one,  if  possible,  a  truly  religious  correspondence, 
calculated  to  bring  C  hrist  to  the  soul.  Keep  in  hourly  recollec- 
tion that  you  are  a  great  sinner,  unworthy  oi  all  the  ct^mtorts 
and  enjoyments  which  you  possess  ;  and  that  without  a  Savi(»ur 
inwardly  known,  all  is  as  nothing.  Examine  for  the  proofs  ot  a 
converted  mind,  in  the  grand  act  of  taiih  on  Jesus  Christ.  I 
cannot  recommend  you  a  more  lively  example  than  Mrs.  Isa- 
bella Graham,  the  admirable  aunt  of  Mr.  M.  Learn  to  love 
true  religion  in  others,  whoever  they  may  be.  Shun  party  pre- 
judice, as  the  bane  of  charity  and  the  curse  of  the  church.  God's 
love  is  not  limited  to  us,  and  our  division  of  the  church  of  Christ; 
why  then  ought  ours?  Far  be  it  trom  us  to  feel  aliena- 
tion from  any  whom  He  is  leadmg  heavenwards. 

"  Pray  think  of  the  general  tenour  of  this  letter,  for  my  sake, 
and  for  your  own  sake.  I  have  much  spiritual  uneasiness  about 
all  my  children,  and  most  anxiously  wish  to  see  them  grow  in 
grace.  Without  this,  all  is  dead.  I  want  to  see  them  useful  to 
others  around  them,  and  pattern:-,  to  one  another,  and  comforts  to 
me  in  all  things." 

The  union  took  place  at  Turvey,  in  the  spring  of  1822  ;  and 
the  writer  of  Jhis  Memoir  b-d  the  pleasure  of  officiating  on  the 
occasion.  On  the  day  of  Miss  Richmond's  marriage,  her  father 
addressed  to  her  the  following  interesting  letter  : — 

^'  I  this  day  consign  you,  my  beloved  daughter,  into  the  hands 


REV.  LEGH  RICHMOND.  271 

of  one  whom  I  believe  to  be  a  man  of  God,  and  who  will  watch 
over  your  eternal  as  well  as  your  temporal  interests.  I  trust 
that  your  union  is  formed  in  the  simplicity  of  faith,  hope,  and 
love.  Give  yourself  up,  first  to  God,  and  then  to  your  husband, 
for  Christ's  sake.  Pray  for  grace  to  conduct  yourself  aright, 
in  the  new  stations  of  wife  and  mistress.  IN  ever  depend  for  a 
single  moment,  on  the  strength  of  your  own  feeble  nature. 
Live  constantly  by  faith  on  the  >on  of  God  ;  relying  on  him  for 
the  graces  of  domestic  life,  as  well  as  those  of  a  more  general 
character.  Endeavour  in  all  things  to  plea-se  God,  and  you  will 
be  sure  to  please  all  whom  you  ought  to  please. 

"  Expect  the  trials  and  crosses  incident  to  the  earthly  pilgrim- 
age ;  but  expect  also  by  the  mercies  and  merits  of  Jesus  Christ, 
to  be  enabled  to  pass  through  them  with  safety  and  peace. 

"  Love,  honour,  and  obey  your  husband,  for  the  Lord's  sake. 
Do  it  upon  deep  conscientious  principles,  as  in  the  constant 
sight  of  God.  Think  much  on  the  love  of  Christ  to  poor  sin- 
ners ;  and  live  upon  this  love,  as  food  and  medicine  to  your  own 
soul. 

"  Be  cheerful  without  levity  ;  be  grave  without  moroseness  ; 
be  devout  without  affectation  ;  be  firm  without  obstinacy  ;  be 
diligent  in  business,  fervent  in  spirit,  serving  the  Lord  m  all 
things. 

*'  A.lthough  you  leave  your  father's  house,  I  know  you  will 
not  leave  its  principles,  any  more  than  its  love.  Though  sepa- 
rated, we  shall  be  closely  united. — though  out  of  sight,  yet 
never  out  of  mind :  you  will  think  of  us,  and  we  of  you,  with 
affections  tender,  rational,  and  abiding.  We  shall  often  meet 
at  the  throne  of  grace,  and  welcome  each  other,  and  be  wel- 
comed there  ;  we  shall  often  meet  in  the  correspondences  of 
heart  and  pen.  We  shall,  if  God  permit,  sometimes  meet  in 
sweet  personal  intercourse  again  ;  we  shall  often  meet  in  the 
affectionate  reveries  of  imagination.  And  oh  !  may  we  at  last* 
meet  to  part  no  more,  in  the  house  not  made  with  hands,  eternal 
in  the  heavens. 

"  Study  your  own  and  your  husband's  dispositions,  that  you 
may  cultivate  true  conjugal  peace  and  love.  Ever  be  ready  to 
open  your  own  heart  to  him  on  things  spiritual  as  well  as  tem- 
poral. Disappoint  him  not  herein,  for  he  will  watch  over  your 
soul,  as  one  that  must  give  account.  A  minister's  pubhc  labours 
are  intimately  connected  with  his  private  and  domestic  consola- 
tions. A  minister's  wife  may  be  a  main-spring  of  encourage- 
ment or  discouragement  to  her  husband,  i  all  his  arduous  and 
anxious  occupations  for  the  good  of  his  flock.    On  her  exam- 


272 


MEMOIRS  OF  THE 


pie  and  demeanour  very  much  may  often  depend.  Keep  thij* 
always  in  mind,  and  look  up  to  Christ  for  gracious  help.  Feel 
with,  and  for  your  husband,  in  all  his  parochial  and  congrega- 
tional interests,  as  well  as  in  those  which  are  simply  domestic  

they  ought  to  be  inseparable.  Cultivate  a  deep  and  personal 
piety.  Imitate  the  holy  women  of  old,  and  let  your  adorning 
be  like  unto  theirs  :  St.  Peter  can  tell  you  what  that  is.* 

I  rejoice  in  your  lot ;  I  can  see  the  hand  of  God  in  it.  This 
is  a  token  for  good  to  us  all. 

"Go,  dear  Mary,  to  your  husband's  house  ;  and  may  the  pre- 
sence and  blessing  of  the  Lord  go  with  you  :  I  commend  you 
to  his  holy  keeping,  with  confidence.  Faithful  is  He  that  hath 
promised,  and  He  will  do  it.  We  shall  have  pledged  our  vows 
at  the  table  of  the  Lord,  at  this  interesting  period :  may  this 
strengthen  and  animate  our  hearts  to  serve  and  trust  him.  On 
this  day  the  Spirit  was  poured  out  on  the  primitive  church  with 
great  power, — may  we  this  day  receive  the  earnest  of  his  love 
in  nmch  simplicity. 

"  Grace,  peace,  and  mercy,  be  with  my  beloved  daughter,  and 
with  her  affectionate  father,  Legh  Richmond." 

The  year  after  the  marriage  of  his  daughter,  Mr.  .Richmond 
availed  himself  of  a  visit  to  Scotland,  to  make  a  short  tour  to 
the  North  of  Ireland.  We  can  furnish  the  reader  with  no  other 
particulars  than  are  contained  in  the  subjoined  letter  to  his  friend 
Mr.  Higgins,  of  Turvey  Abbey. 

My  dear  Sir, —  Owing  to  some  domestic  circumstances  con- 
nected with  our  dear  daughter's  confinement,  indisposition,  and 
recovery,  we  have  been  detained  here  beyond  our  expectations  ; 
but  in  our  absence,  we  think  and  talk  much  of  our  Turvey 
friends,  and  anticipate  the  restoration  to  their  society  with  much 
pleasure.  Duriugr  my  wife's  more  retired  occupation  of  nurs- 
ing and  superintending  household  affairs  in  Glasgow,  I  have  had 
interesting  opportunities  of  seeing  districts  of  much  beauty  and 
curiosity.  I  have  again  visited  Staffa  and  lona,  and  several 
ether  of  the  Western  islands.  I  have  also  seen  the  Giant's 
Causeway,  and  the  highly  romantic  and  subhme  coast  of  Antrim 
in  Ireland,  including  a  journey  of  seventy  miles  by  land  to  Bel- 
fast. I  W£is  very  glad  to  find  that  amidst  all  the  misery  and 
mischief  of  many  other  parts  of  Ireland,  one  district  in  the 
North  is  very  qu^et,  and  comparatively  comfortable.    I  travel- 


♦  1  Peter  iii.  3, 4,  5. 


REV.  LEGH  RICHMOND. 


273 


led  in  an  open  vehicle  until  midnight,  without  fear  or  danger. 
But  not  so,  had  I  traversed  the  territories  of  Captain  Rock. 
The  North  of  Ireland  is  chiefly  Protestant,  although  not  exclu- 
sively so.  I  had  the  opportunity  of  observing  there,  as  in  Scot- 
laud,  that  in  exact  proportion  to  the  universality  and  superiority 
of  the  school  education  of  the  children  of  the  poor,  good  or  bad 
conduct  prevails  in  the  different  districts.  With  mental  attain- 
ments and  useful  instruction,  an  elevation  and  stability  of  cha- 
racter, and  a  happy  adaptation  of  mind  to  circumstances  is  gene- 
rally formed.  Subject  to  occasional  exceptions,  I  feel  confi- 
dent that  the  three  kingdoms  will  owe  their  future  and  final  pros- 
perity to  the  great  advances  and  improvements  made  in  general 
education.  Nothing  can  more  illustrate  this  fact  than  the  com- 
parison between  ^^cotland  and  Ireland,  and  the  contrasted  dis- 
tricts of  educated  or  uneducated  Ireland  and  Scotland  with  each 
other.  For  in  some  of  the  remote  islands  and  Highlands  of 
even  Scotland,  much  is  yet  to  be  done.  You  would  not  be 
sorry  that  the  Popish  question  was  lost  in  parliament,  neither 
was  I  :  I  am  convinced  that  we  are  safer  as  we  are,  although 
equally  convinced  that  many  good  men  most  conscientiously 
think  otherwise  ;  but  I  was  glad  when  I  saw  the  result. 

"  From  my  children's  account,  the  boys  are  going  on  very 
well  with  Mr.  Ayre,  and  I  trust  will  improve  much  under  his 
tuition.  May  God  be  pleased  to  enable  us  to  bring  them  up  in 
*  the  nurture  and  admonition  of  the  Lord  and  to  see  them,  as 
much  as  possible,  preserved  from  the  abounding  snares  and  evils 
of  the  corrupt  world  in  which  their  lot  must  be  cast. 

"  We  have  had  recent  accounts  of,  and  from  Nugent  ;*  and 
all  very  satisfactory.  That  subject,  my  dear  Sir,  was  a  bitter, 
but  is  turned  into  a  cordial.  I  feel  great  reason  to  be  thankful. 
We  have  often  drank  from  your  cups,  so  kindly  given  to  Mrs. 
Marshall, I  and  the  remembrances  of  Turvey  have  sweetened 
the  draughts.  She  is  most  happy  in  her  husband,  a  man  and  a 
minister  of  sterling  worth  ;  they  are  most  comfortable  in  each 
other,  and  live  in  much  respectability  and  domestic  love.  I  must 
also  gratify  the  feelings  of  a  newly  made  grandfather,  by  praising 
little  J\Iai^  J^Iarshall  the  second,  and  observing  that  she  is  a  very 
nice  little  girl. 

"  The  beauty  of  nature,  and  its  accompanying  scenery,  is 
now  great  indeed.  I  cannot  convey  to  paper  the  magnificence 
of  the  mountains,  the  loveliness  of  the  plain-  the  subUmity  of 
the  rocks,  the  splendour  of  the  ocean,  the  diversity  of  the  islands, 


*  His  eldest  sod,  then  in  India. 

24 


t  His  eldest  daughter. 


274 


MEMOIRS  OF  THE 


the  wonders  of  basaltic  columns,  the  awfulness  of  the  caves, 
nor  the  combinations  of  effects  produced  by  them  all  together- 
I  cannot  depict  the  numerous  ivy-girt  ruins  of  feudal  castles,  nor 
the  groves  and  woods  of  the  mansions  and  villas  of  lairds  and 
lords  ;  but  you  know  something  of  them,  and  must  conceive  in 
imagination  what  your  friend  is  unal>le  to  describe.  My  great 
desire  is  to  seek  and  find  God  in  them  all,  and  to  adore  him 
there. 

"  You  will  present  my  kind  regards  to  Mrs.  H.,  in  which  all 
here  unite.  'Fo  your  children  likewise  give  every  good  wish  and 
blessing.  Accept  the  same  for  yourself,  and  be  assured  of  my 
friendly  and  Christian  desire  that  you  may,  through  the  blessing 
of  God  and  his  crucified  Son,  '  so  pass  through  thmgs  temporal, 
that  you  finally  lose  not  the  things  eternal.'  Such  withes  and 
prayers  become  us  whilst  we  are  here,  and  their  answers  maybe 
our  crown  of  glory  when  we  depart  hence,  and  are  no  more 
seen." 

About  this  time,  the  church  at  Turvey  was  inspected  by  the 
archdeacon,  who  expressed  his  approbation  of  the  neatness  and 
good  order  with  which  every  thing  appeared  to  be  conducted.* 
The  church  is  a  singular  building,  having  three  chancels  annex- 
ed to  it.  In  one  of  these  are  the  monuments  of  the  Mordaunts ; 
the  middle  chancel  contains  the  font  and  communion  table  ;  and 
the  third  was  used  for  the  evening  instruction  of  the  schools, 
wHere  Mr.  Richmond  catechised  and  preached  to  the  children. 
A  most  appropriate  selection  of  texts  is  inscribed  on  the  walls 
of  each  of  these  chancels,  as  well  as  in  the  body  of  the  church, 
chosen  by  Mr.  Richmond  with  great  care,  and  they  exhibit  a 
eomplete  system  of  divinity.  "  I  wish,"  said  our  excellent 
friend,  "  when  I  can  no  longer  preach  to  my  flock,  that  the  walls 
should  remind  them  of  what  they  have  heard  from  me.  The 
eye,  though  wandering  in  thoughtless  vacancy,  may  catch  some- 
thing to  affect  the  heart." 

We  regret  that  we  cannot  convey  to  the  reader  an  adequate 
representation  of  the  interior  of  Turvey  church.  The  admira- 
ble order  of  the  texts,  which  display  both  the  taste  and  piety  of 

*  We  feel  called  upon,  in  this  place,  to  bear  our  testimony  to  the  zeal  and 
persevering  labour  of  Archdeacon  Bonney,  in  restoring  the  churches,  under  his 
superintendence,  to  a  state  of  order,  decency,  and  necessary  repair,  which  was 
greatly  needed.  They  now  exhibit  the  appearance  becoming  the  character  of 
the  Christian  Sanctuary  ;  and  we  cannot  brut  express  our  wish,  that  so  laudable 
an  example  were  generally  imitated. 


REV.  LEGH  RICHMOND. 


275 


the  departed  rector,  might  aftbrd  a  model  for  similar  arrange- 
ments in  other  churches. 

The  following  are  extracts  from  a  letter,  written  to  his  daugh- 
ter F  about  this  time  : — 

^*  Fully  as  I  can  enter  into  the  beauties  of  works  of  fiction, 
yet  I  ex'-eedin^ly  dread  their  tendency.  The  utmost  caution  is 
requisi'e  in  meddlinof  with  them.  The  novelist  I  unequivocally 
proscribe,  and  many  of  the  poets  and  their  poems,  which  are 
only  nets  to  catch  youn^  minds  in  the  maze  of  Satan.  It  is  a 
maxim  m  regard  to  books,  as  well  as  companions,  fhat  what  does 
not  improve,  invariably  injures.  Few  ti  ings  in  this  world  are 
merely  neiiative  and  harmless  :  they  either  do  us  good,  when 
sanctified  by  the  Spirit ;  or  they  do  us  harm,  by  stealing^,  our 
hearts  from  God.  Even  the  beauties  and  wonders  of  nature, 
in  an  unsanctified  miiid,  excite  nothing  beyond  natural  affec- 
tions— pleasure  and  surprise.  If  Christ  is  not  sought  f  >r  in 
them,  we  rise  no  higher  than  mere  tourists,  rhymists,  and  paint- 
ers. Whether  we  eat,  or  drink,  or  travel  or  read^  or  converse, 
or  philosophize — all,  all  must  be  done  to  the  glonj  of  God.''^ 

The  tours  of  Mr.  Richmond  which  we  have  already  laid  be- 
fore the  reader,  were  undertaken  at  the  solicitation  of  the  C  hurch 
Missionary  and  Jews  Societies.  He  also  frequently  advocated 
the  eause  of  the  Bible  Society,  and  was  a  warm  admirer  of  its 
liberal  and  catholic  spirit,  its  sublime  object,  and  its  tendency  to 
prepare  the  way.  by  the  universal  circulation  of  the  Scriptures, 
for  the  final  propagation  of  the  Gospel  throughout  the  world. 
He  often  made  volnntary  excursions  of  a  smaller  extent,  to  as- 
sist in  the  form  ition  of  branch  Bible  Societies  ;  and  he  usually 
attended  the  annual  meetings  of  the  auxiliaries  to  the  parent  in- 
stitution, within  his  own  neighbourhood,  where  he  was  allowed 
to  be  one  of  the  most  efficient  instruments  in  their  establishment 
and  confirmation. 

In  the  year  1822  he  was  appointed  by  the  committee  of  the 
Parent  Society  in  London,  to  accompany  one  of  their  secreta- 
ries (Or.  Steinkopff)  to  Chichester,  Portsmouth.  Southampton, 
and  the  Isle  of  vVight.  The  recollections  of  his  former  resi- 
dence were  too  strongly  associated  with  all  the  early  events  of 
his  ministry,  not  to  render  the  proposal  highly  acceptable  to 
him. 

'We  venture  to  make  a  few  extracts  from  Mr.  Richmond's 
journal  at  this  time,  being  the  last  w  c  shall  have  occasion  to  no- 


276 


MEMOIRS  OP  THE 


tice.  We  trace  in  them  his  usual  taste  for  the  beauties  of  na- 
ture, with  a  growing  spirituality  and  devotedness  of  heart. 

JOURNAL. 

Aug.  27.  Saw  views  of  the  Isle  of  Wight.  hat  asso- 
ciations crowd  upon  my  heart!  Arrived  at  Portsmouth.  Jov- 
fully  and  affectionately  received  by  my  old  iViends,  Mr.  and 
Mrs.  r.,  in  the  dock-yard.  Talked  over  old  times — about  the 
Isle  of  Wight,  Brading,  Bembridge,  &c. 

"  I  intreat  thee,  O  iny  God,  to  sanctify  this  season  to  my  soul 
and  the  souls  of  others  !  May  this  visit  be  a  blessing.  Time 
is  going  on — eternity  is  at  hand.  Strengthen  my  heart,  head, 
and  tongue,  and  keep  me  irom  evil. 

^^Aui^.  28.  Looked  with  peculiar  recollection  on  the  tower 
-  in  the  dock-yard,  where  I  conversed  with  the  emperor  of  Russia, 
in  June,  1814,  Went  to  the  Bible  Society.  Well  supported. 
Good  feeling.    I  enlarged  on  my  former  intercourse  with  the 

Isle  of  Wight.    Dined  with  Sir  George  G  .    Proceeded  to 

Southampton.  Profitable  conversation  with  Dr.  S.  on  the 
necessity  of  retirement  and  prayer,  in  the  midst  of  public  and 
official  duties.  My  affections  greatly  exercised  to-day  by  the 
topics  of  my  speech — never  more  so. 

"  Lord  guide  me  in  this  pilgrimage.  Keep  my  heart — give 
me  judgment — direct  my  tongue — preserve  me  from  sin  ! 

<'  —  29.  W^ent  to  the  Bible  meeting  at  Southampton  I  told 
the  miner's  story.*  A  poor  widow  brought  an  interesting  girl, 
named  Mitchell,  about  eighteen,  to  acknowledge  with  tears  of 
grateful  affection  how  much  she  was  indebted  to  the  tract  of 
'  The  Young  Cottager,'  for  a  change  of  heart  and  hope.  She 
shewed  a  simplicity  of  character  that  affected  me  greatly.  Sailed 
to  Cowes.  Proceeded  to  Newport.  I  am  once  more  in  the  Isle 
of  Wight — God  bless  this  visit.  My  heart  yearns  over  this  spot. 
Lord,  sanctify  all  things  to  me  and  to  thy  children!  and  daily 
add  to  the  church  such  as  shall  be  saved. 

"  JVewport,  Aug;.  30.    Met  Robert  Wallbridge,!  and  talked 

*  The  story  to  which  he  alludes  is  very  affecting.  In  one  of  the  Newcastle. 
coUeries,  35  men  and  41  boys  died  by  suffocation,  or  were  starved  to  death. 
One  of  the  boys  was  found  dead,  with  a  Bible  by  his  side,  and  a  tin  box,  such  as 
the  colliers  use.  Within  the  lid  he  had  contrived  to  engrave,  with  a  piece  ol 
pointed  iron,  this  last  message  to  his  mother: — "  Fret  not,  my  dear  mother,  for 
we  are  singing  the  praises  of  God  while  we  have  time.  Mother,  follow  God 
more  than  ever  I  did  Joseph,  be  a  good  iad  to  God  and  to  mother."  Mr. 
Richmond  brought  the  box  from  the  North,  and  by  shewing  it  to  his  friends, 
awakened  in  their  hearts  feelings  of  the  most  lively  interest. — See  YouWs  Mag- 
azine, vol  vii.  p.  24. 

t  This  was  the  brother  of  his  Dairyman's  daughter. 


REV.  LEGH  RICHMO\D. 


277 


about  his  sister  and  father.  Attended  the  Bible  Meeting.  En- 
tered at  large  into  Isle  of  Wight  feelings.  Much  atTection  mani- 
fested. Proceeded  with  Dr.  S.  to  Ryde.  He  left  me  to  pro- 
ceed to  Portsmouth,  after  an  affectionate  farewell.* 

"  A  number  of  persons  came  in  the  evening,  and  joined  us  in 
family  prayer.  Dear  John  W.  and  his  wife  full  of  kindness  and 
holy  affections.  I  expounded  and  prayed.  Mr.  Butterworth 
was  there.  It  was  an  affecting  season.  How  my  heart  feels 
these  scenes  and  interviews  !  Lord,  sanctify  all  this  to  my  own 
soul !    The  Brading  pulpit  is  offered  me  tor  Sunday  morning. 

"  Alio;'  31.  {Satvrdmj.)  Fixed  to  have  a  Bible  meeting  on 
Thursday  next.  Set  out  with  my  daughter  Fanny,  and  went 
through  Brading,  to  Mr.  L.'s  cottage  at  Sandown.  All  the  way, 
felt  strong  associations.  Every  tree,  hedge,  gate,  house,  re- 
vived them.  Went  to  Shanklin,  to  the  Chine.  Exquisite 
views.  Dined  in  the  Chine.  Returned  through  Brading.  Was 
much  affected  on  reading  many  grave-stones — so  many  that  I 
once  well  knew  !  Drank  tea  with  the  curate.  Finally  settled 
that  I  should  preach  to-morrow,  at  Brading.  The  bells  nnging  for 

I  me.    Found  an  invitation  to  preach  to-morrow  at  Ryde  also. 

I  May  my  soul  be  directed  into  all  truth.     [  telt  mucb  while  sit- 

j  ting  in  the  Brading  vicarage  parlour — so  many  domestic  recol- 

t  lections  !    Returned  to  Ryde. 

t  "  Sapt.  1.  {Suiidaij.)  A  most  affecting  day.  Went,  after 
breakfast,  to  Brading.  Before  church,  saw  many  friends,  who 
most  affectionately  irreeted  me.  Preached  from  Ps.  viii.  4 — 
*  What  is  man,  that  thou  art  mindful  of  him  ?  and  the  son  of  man, 
that  thou  visitest  him  ?'  Church  most  crowded.  I  was  much 
affected  by  the  whole  scene.  Mr.  T.,  the  curate,  acted  in  a 
very  friendly  manner.  After  many  interesting  circumstances, 
went  to  Ryde,  and  preached  there  in  the  afternoon.  Dined  with 
Mr.  and  Mrs.  P.  At  eight,  went  to  Mrs.  Y.,  at  Bank  Cottage, 
where  a  multitude  of  people  heard  me  expound  and  pray.  How 
many  gave  me  the  afiectionate  right-hand  of  fellowship!  Mr. 
and  Lady  Harriet  W.,  Mr.  Butterworth,  &c.  there  I  expound- 
ed from  John  vii.  .37 — '  In  the  last  day,  that  great  day  of  the 
feast,  Jesus  stood  and  cried,  saying.  If  any  man  thirst,  let  him 
come  unto  me  and  drink.' 

"  What  scenes  are  these  !  How  far  removed  from  the  pomps 
and  vanities  of  this  world  ! 

^  Mr.  Richmond's  Journal  contains  many  expressions  of  the  warmest  esteem 
and  Christian  regard  for  Dr.  S.,  which  delicacy  alone  prevents  us  from  insert- 
ing. 

24* 


278 


MEMOIRS  OF  THE 


"  Sept.  2.  Went  to  Blading.  SViewed  Jane's  cottage  to 
Fanny.  Called  on  numbers  of  people.  Much  friendly  and 
kind  reception  at  Brading  :  much  religious  and  devotional  feel- 
ing in  every  direction. 

"  —  3.  Went  to  Bembridge.  Interesting  in  the  extreme. 
Saw  old  Mr.  G.  dying,  and  happy  in  death.  Called  at  the  G.'s. 
Found  the  whole  family  full  of  love,  affection,  and  piety.  Went 
to  Mr.  K.'s,  and  various  others.  All  respect  and  affection. 
Ascended  Bembridge  Down  :  the  finest  pro.-pect  in  the  isl- 
and. Dined  at  Mrs.  M.'s.  Had  a  delightful  religious  party  in 
the  evening.  Exposition  and  prayer.  Settled  t*  have  a  distri- 
bution of  tracts  at  Bembridge,  on  Thursday,  if  fine. 

"  God  grant  me  grace  to  go  through  all  these  affecting  scenes 
profitably  to  myself  a-id  others  ! 

"  —  4.  Explored  former  scenes  with  much  interest.  Many 
associations  during  this  excursion.    Lord,  sanctify  them  ! 

"  SepL  5.  A  day  much  to  be  remembered.  After  breakfast, 
went  with  Mr.  Butterworth,  &c.  to  distribute  tracts,  according 
to  promise,  at  Bembridge  Point ;  to  which  I  had  invited  all  the 
population  of  Bembridge.  The  most  affecting  and  affectionate 
scene  ever  witnessed.  Such  meetings,  welcomes,  congratula- 
tions, smiles,  tears,  salutations,  from  some  hundred  persons — 
men,  women,  and  children  !  It  is  indeHbly  impressed  upon  my 
mind,  and  beggars  all  description. 

*'  Had  many  proofs  of  past  usefulness.  God  bless  this  day 
to  me  and  many  !  On  returning  home,  found  a  delightful  letter 
from  my  dear  wife,  about  the  Isle  of  Wight :  God  bless  and 
preserve  her.  Dined  at  six,  with  a  Christian  party.  Expound- 
ed 23d  Psalm.  Oh!  that  this  day  may  be  remembered  for 
good ! 

"  —  6.  Visited  Robert  Wallbridge  and  Mrs.  A.  Had  much 
useful  conversation  about  the  Dairyman's  daughter.  She  gave 
me  a  lock  of  her  hair.  We  went  to  Arreton  church,  and  visited 
her  grave. 

"  —  12.  A  day  much  to  be  remembered.  On  this  day 
twenty-five  years  since,  I  first  read  Mr.  Wilberforce's  book  on 
Christianity,  in  my  little  study,  in  the  vicarage  house  at  Brading; 
and  thence  and  then  received  my  first  serious,  and  I  hope  saving 
impressions ! 

"  A  memorial  stone  was  this  day  put  up  over  the  grave  of  little 
Jane,  the  young  cottager — my  first  convert  and  seal  in  Brading. 
Multitudes  attended — old  and  young,  from  all  the  vicinity.  Her 
parents  bent,  weeping,  over  the  grave.  What  did  I  not  feel ! 
We  then  adjourned  to  the  cottage  where  she  lived  and  died,  and 


REV.  LEGH  RICHMOND. 


279 


1  distributed  a  number  of '  Young  Cottager'  tracts  to  the  inhabit- 
ants and  neighbourhood,  who  came  in  throngs  to  receive  them. 
A  truly  affecting  scene  ! 

"  Sept.  18.  A  stone  was  this  day  put  up  for  the  Dairyman's 
daughter,  in  Arreton  church-yard. 

*  Post  tot  naufragia  tutus.^ 

*  To  God  be  all  the  praise.'  " 

After  preaching  several  times  to  large  congregations,  he 
took  an  atfectionate  farewell  of  his  numerous  friends  in  the  Isle 
of  Wight. 

Extract  from  a  pastoral  letter  from  the  Isle  of  Wight. 

"  Dear  Christian  Friends, — Although  I  have  been  prevented 
from  writing  to  you  before,  by  daily  occupations,  I  have  borne 
you  on  my  heart,  and  lifted  up  my  prayers  to  God  for  your  wel- 
fare. I  have  been  received  by  my  old  friends  in  this  island  with 
warm  affection.  Some  whom  I  remembered,  have  gone  to  their 
rest,  and  are  v.  ith  the  Lord  ;  others  are  growing  old,  but  God 
blesses  them,  even  to  hoar  hairs.  Some  bring  their  children, 
and  their  children's  children  to  me,  and  bless  God  for  their  piety, 
tracing  it  to  the  prayers  we  formerly  offered  up  together.  I  have 
been  much  affected  in  visiting  the  church-yard,  and  reading  the 
names  of  so  many  of  my  old  neighbours  inscribed  on  the  grave 
stones.  Time  passes  away — eternity  is  at  hand.  You  have 
also  been  reminded  of  this '  by  two  sudden  deaths  among 
yourselves.  May  such  things  be  deeply  impressed  upon  your 
hearts." 

On  his  return  to  Turvey,  he  addressed  the  following  letter 
to  a  highlv-respected  friend,  and  parishioner  in  the  Isle  of 
Wight. 

"  Turvey,  December,  1822, 
"  The  remembrance  of  the  days  and  hours  which  we  spent 
together  in  the  Isle  of  Weight  is  very  refreshing  to  me.  I  hope 
that  the  numerous  meetings  which  we  enjoyed,  have  been  profit- 
able to  not  a  few  of  those  who  assembled  together.  My  daugh- 
ter and  I  frequently  look  back  upon  the  two  days  passed  at 
Bembridge  and  Brading,  when  the  tracts  were  distributed,  and 
the  grave  stone  put  up,  with  such  affection  and  gratitude,  I  think 
they  will  never  be  forgotten  by  many.  I  did  feel  a  lively  hope, 
that  so  much  seed  would  not  be  sown  in  vain,  and  that  the  Lord 


280 


MEMOIRS  OF  THE 


would  give  a  blessing  to  such  means  as  I  trusted  he  had  put  it  into 
our  hearts  to  employ.  My  a- Sections  for  the  island  are  founded 
upon  many  of  those  circumstances  which  you  will  remember  in 
our  younger  days.  It  was  there  that  my  own  heart  was  first 
made  acquainted  with  the  infinite  value  of  immortal  souls,  and 
of  the  difficult  office  of  a  Christian  minister.  It  was  there  that 
those  means  of  grace  were  enjoyed,  which  have  been  since  felt 
and  remembered  by  some,  as  '  times  of  refreshment  from  the 
presence  of  the  liord.'  It  was  there  that  I  met  with  the  Dairy- 
man's Daughter,  the  Negro  Servant,  and  the  Young  Cottager, 
and  with  my  respected  friend,  John  Wheler.  These,  and  many 
more  events,  bind  ray  heart  to  the  place  with  very  tender  ties. 
When  you  see  our  friends  at  Bembridge,  tell  them  how  much  I 
feel  towards  them.  Some  of  them  are  the  children  of  my  early 
ministry  ;  others  are  their  children  ;  and  others  again  have  been 
brought  to  the  knowledge  of  the  truth,  through  the  Lord's 
blessing  upon  instructions  established  and  blessed  v  hen  I 
first  knew  them.  These  are  strong  ties  for  spiritual  re- 
gard. I  pray,  my  dear  friend,  that  you  may  grow  in  grace, 
and  in  the  knowledge  of  the  Lord.  He  that  has  accompanied 
you  thus  far  in  your  way,  will  not  leave  nor  forsake  you.  He  is 
the  same  yesterday,  and  to-day,  and  for  ever.  Cast  your  care 
upon  him,  for  he  careth  for  you.  The  promise  is  to  you,  and  to 
your  children,  and  to  as  many  as  are  afar  off,  whom  the  Lord 
shall  call.  Let  me  hear  from  you  soon.  May  grace,  peace, 
and  mercy  be  with  you  and  yours.  Pray  for  me  and  mine,  and 
believe  me,  faithfully  and  affectionately, — Your  friend  in  Christ, 

"  Legh  Richmond.  • 
Mr.  John  Wheler,  Ryde,  Isle  of  WighV' 

We  have  already  alluded  to  the  illness  of  Mr.  Richmond's 
son,  Wilberforce.  Symptoms  of  a  consumptive  nature  had 
been  gradually  developing  themselves  ;  and  it  was  at  length 
deemed  highly  expedient  that  he  should  visit  Scotland,  and  be 
committed  to  the  care  of  the  Rev.  James  Marshall,  his  brother- 
in-law.  It  was  hoped  that  the  effects  of  a  sea  voyage,  and 
change  of  air,  and  the  benefit  of  Dr.  S.'s  advice,  who  had  been 
remarkably  successful  in  several  instances  of  consumption, 
might  possibly  arrest  the  progress  of  this  insidious  disorder. 

Mr.  Richmond  did  not,  on  this  occasion,  imitate  the  worldly 
prudence  of  some  persons,  who  labour  to  conceal  from  the  pa- 
tient the  danger  of  their  state,  and  with  a  mistaken  kindness 
prohibit  the  introduction  of  religious  subjects,  from  fear  of  ag- 
gravating the  disorder.    With  a  heart  alive  to  the  eternal  inte» 


REV.  LEGH  RICHMOND. 


281 


rests  of  his  child,  he  addressed  to  him  the  following  letters. 
May  the  perusal  of  them  afford  an  instructive  lesson  to  all  who 
are  placed  under  similar  circumstances,  and  teach  them  never 
to  forget,  that  "  one  thing  is  needful"  for  others,  as  well  as  for 
themselves  ;  and  that  the  wi>dom,  which  would  endeavour  to 
save  the  perishini^  body,  at  the  risk  of  the  immortal  soul,  is  an 
act  of  treachery  the  more  criminal,  in  proportion  as  its  conse- 
quences are  irreparable  and  eternal. 

"  June  12,  1824. 

"  My  dear  Boy, — I  have,  as  I  mentioned  to  you  the  other 
day,  for  some  time  wished  to  press  upon  your  attention  the  im- 
portant subject  of  the  Lord's  Supper  ;  and,  as  in  the  case  of 
each  of  your  sisters,  I  found  that  some  epistolary  correspf).nd- 
ence  afforded  a  liberty  and  facility  of  communication  in  the  first 
instance,  I  trust  vou  will  not  object  to  adopting  a  similar  mode, 
A  time  of  relaxation  from  your  studies,  and  of  indisposition, 
may  afford  you  t[ood  opportunity  tor  such  a  purpose.  It  will  be 
exceedingly  gratifying  to  me  to  receive  some  simple,  faithful 
account  of  your  state  of  mind,  views,  feelings,  and  desires  in 
connexion  with  the  privileges  and  duty  of  commemorating  the 
dying  love  of  (  hrist  to  sinners.  I  wish  to  receive  you  at  the 
table  of  our  Lord,  both  as  your  affectionate  father  in  the  flesh, 
and  your  still  happier  father  in  the  spirit,  with  principles  enlight- 
ened, and  heart  warmed  with  a  Saviour's  mercies.  Approach 
roe  thus,  my  beloved  son,  and  write  to  me  with  a  free  confidential 
heart.  I  feel  the  most  lively  interest  in  your  spiritual  welfare,  far 
beyond  what  my  ordinary  manner  may  betray. — You  are  arrived 
at  an  age,  when  I  wish  you  to  become  my  bosom  friend  and 
companion  in  all  things,  but  above  all,  in  those  things  which  be- 
long to  everlasting  peace.  I  have  sometimes  feared  that  other 
subjects  have  somewhat  monopolized  your  thoughts  ;  and  yet  I 
have  the  firmest  hope  that  your  mind  is  truly  sensible  of  the  va- 
lue and  importance  of  divine  things.  I  trust  you  are  constant 
in  prayer,  and  that  your  affections  are  unfeignedly  directed  to- 
wards divine  truth.  I  cannot  express  to  you  how  much  this 
belief  comforts  and  strengthens  my  mind.  It  is  allied  to  every 
feeling  and  wish  which  I  have  so  long  and  so  anxiously  che- 
rished, in  regard  to  your  future  character,  as  a  minister  of  the 
Gospel  of  Christ.  None  but  God  knows  how  intense  my  soh- 
citude  has  been  upon  that  point.  It  is  high  time  that  you  should, 
by  the  open  act  of  communion,  devote  yourself  to  the  Redeem- 
er's service,  and  look  upon  it  as  a  pledge  for  your  inward  prin- 
ciples, and  outward  practice.    You  should  attentively  examine 


282 


MEMOIRS  OF  THE 


the  sacramental  service  in  the  Liturgy,  and  always  have  a  book 
of  experimental  and  devotional  character,  more  or  less,  in  pri- 
vate reading.  It  nmst  ever  be  kept  in  remembrance,  that  the 
mere  literary  discu-^sional  study  of  theology,  however  valuable 
and  needful,  is  a  distinct  thing  from  the  affectionate  work  of  the 
heart  in  the  exercises  )f  the  conscience  in  the  soul.  I  am  ear- 
nest that  my  dear  child  should  enjoy  all  the  privileges  of  the 
church  of  (Ihrist,  and  adorn  them.  Search  for  the  evidences  of 
a  renewed  heart  daily  ;  come  as  a  lost,  undone  sinner,  and  may 
you  taste  that  the  Lord  is  gracious.  ?'eware  of  the  world's 
temptations  and  levities.  We  should  all  feel  that  time  is  short, 
and  eternity  at  haiid,  and  be  prepared  accordingly.  The  regu- 
lar partaking  of  the  Lord's  supper,  when  rightly  viewed  has  a 
tendency  to  cherish  the  best  affections  of  the  soul,  and  to  pre- 
serve both  young  and  >ld  from  the  dangerous  delusions  of  the 
world,  the  flesh,  and  Satan.  Let  the  communication  of  these 
thoughts  excite  you  to  sel'-examination,  meditation  and  prayer. 
My  love  and  reijard  for  you  are  great  indeed  ;  my  own  heart  is 
wrapt  up  in  the  prosperity  of  yours.  May  all  your  studies  be 
sanctified  to  the  glory  of  God.  May  you  vow  enjoy  a  portion 
of  those  pleasures,  whif-h  arc  at  God's  rieht  hand  for  ever- 
more.— '  The  blood  of  •  hri-t  cleanseth  from  all  sin.'  How 
delightful  a  thought  for  you  and  for — Your  affectionate  father, 

**  Legh  Richmond." 

''June  22,  1824. 

"  My  very  dear  Child, — T  present  you  with  this  book,  for  the 
express  purpose  of  your  keepmg  a  journal  and  diary,  not  merely 
of  passing  events,  as  they  may  occur  but  of  the  thoughts  of, 
your  heart  upon  divine  things  I  earnestly  entreat  you  to  do 
this :  I  recommend  it  from  long  experience  as  a  most  beneficial 
exercise.  It  is  perfectly  secret  to  yourself  and  God.  No  one 
can  ever  see  it  without  your  own  knowledge  and  con-^ent.  But 
such  records  have  been  so  usetu!,  so  consolatory,  and  so  im- 
proving, that  I  make  it  my  paternal  entreaty  that  you  will  com- 
ply with  this  request.  Suspended  in  uncertainty  with  regard  to 
your  health  and  strength,  my  soul  is  most  anxious  'or  your  spi- 
ritual good.  Trifle  not.  delay  not  in  this  matter.  Pres<  forward 
to  the  mark  and  prize  of  your  hiirh  calling.  Review  the  past 
thoughts  of  your  heart, — examine  the  present, —anticipate  the 
future.  You  are  in  God's  hands.  I  trust  the  everlasting  arms 
are  underneath  you.  Let  me  entreat  you  to  open  your  mind 
also  to  me,  in  frequent  correspondence.  I  cannot  express  my 
solicitude  for  your  spiritual  welfare.    You  know  all  the  princi- 


REV.  LEGH  RICHMOND. 


288 


pies  by  which  a  sinner  may  be  saved  ;  you  have  known  them 
from  your  infancy  ;  may  they  be  the  ornament  of  your  youth. 
Rest  short  of  nothing  but  a  well  grounded  conviction  of  your 
personal  interest  in  Christ.  There  is  a  rich  provision  in  him  for 
every  possible  difficulty  and  deficiency  which  can  present  itself 
to  your  thoughts.  Oh,  how  does  my  heart  burn  to  see  you,  in 
every  sense  of  the  word,  a  true  Christian.  In  a  former  note,  I 
invited  you  to  the  Lord's  table.  Happy,  thrice  happy  shall  I  be 
to  see  you  there,  added  to  the  mimber  of  the  Lord's  flock. 

Since  writing  the  above,  I  have  received  yours  ;  1  thank  you 
from  my  heart.  Go  on,  as  your  strength  and  opportunities  will 
allow,  by  a  little  at  a  time  ;  but  give  me  as  much  of  your  thoughts 
and  feelings  as  you  can.  Tell  me  of  your  past  years,  and  early 
leadings  and  convictions  ;  tell  me  more  of  those  things  which 
you  have  named  in  former  letters.  You  cannot  oblige  me  more, 
than  by  giving  me  the  history  of  your  heart  at  various  periods. 
I  have  known  too  little  of  you.  my  dear  child.  Let  that  igno- 
rance on  my  part  cease.  I  have  loved  you  from  your  birth,  and 
watched  over  you  till  now,  with  the  tenderest  affections,  but  I 
feel  my  own  deficiency  in  not  communing  more  Vvith  you  on  the 
state  of  your  mind  in  the  sight  of  God.  Comfort  me  now  by 
frequent  intercourse  on  these  matters.  It  is  the  very  return  of 
all  others  which  I  desire  for  all  the  past  anxieties  of  a  father  and 
a  minister.  May  this  journey  be  blessed  to  you  both  in  soul  and 
body.  I  trust  soon,  with  God's  blessing  to  see  you  again.  In 
the  mean  time,  I  commend  you  to  Him,  who  has  all  events  in 
his  hands,  whose  consolations  are  neither  few  nor  small,  who 
gave  his  Son  to  die  for  your  sins,  and  whose  compassions  fail 
not.  Be  much  in  prayer  and  self-examination.  The  God  of 
the  waves  shall  protect  and  guard  you  ;  the  God  of  the  land 
shall  comfort  you.  But  seek  him  aright :  trifle  not  with  the 
great  concern.  How  joyfully  shall  I  welcome  you  at  the  Lord's 
table,  if  God  so  will.  Adieu  for  the  present,  my  child,  my 
friend,  and,  in  Christ,  my  brother. 

"  Legh  Richmond." 

Shortly  afterwards,  Mr.  Richmond  joined  his  son ;  and,  in 
the  interval,  wrote  the  following  letter. 

"  My  ever  dear  Son, — 1  thank  you  for  your  letter,  and  am 
glad  to  hear  again  from  Mr.  Marshall  that  you  have  borne  your 
travels  so  far  well.  You  are  never  out  of  my  thoughts,  and  I 
follow  you  in  imagmation  throuffh  every  scene  of  your  occupa- 
tion.   But  there  is  an  eye  that  beholds  and  watches  over  you,  in 


284  MEMOIRS  OP  THE  ' 

a  way  that  I  cannot  do.  To  Him  I  confide  and  commend  you, 
for  sickness  and  health,  for  time  and  eternity.  What  a  word, 
what  a  thought  is  eternity !  What  prospects  does  it  set  before 
us  !  W' hat  inconceivable  mysteries  are  involved  in  it !  How  does 
it  make  the  tilings  of  time  dwindle  into  insignificance!  But 
what  questions  of  unspeakable  import  are  involved  in  it !  Sin, 
corrupt  nature,  a  broken  law,  an  offended  God,  eternal  punish- 
ment ;  conscience,  guilt,  regeneration,  salvation  by  Christ ; 
faith,  hope,  love,  free  grace,  undeserved  mercy,  justification, 
effectual  calling,  adoption  into  God's  family,  pardon  of  sin,  con- 
solati«m  in  Christ,  heaven  and  glory.  These,  and  a  thousand 
accompaniments,  are  all  connected  with  the  idea,  and  the  reality 
of  eternity.  What  a  sad  proof  of  the  depravity  of  our  hearts 
is  our  indifference  towards  thinking,  and  our  backwardness  to- 
wards speaking  upon  those  things  which  belong  to  our  everlast- 
ing peace ;  and  which,  nevertheless,  if  neglected,  involve  our 
eternal  ruin.  We  need  warnings,  and  the  Lord  sends  them  in 
many  ways.  Sickness,  pain,  bereavements,  losses,  disappoint- 
ments, all  bring  their  message  with  them.  The  great  question 
between  a  soul  and  God  is  not  whether  we  admit  the  truths  of 
the  Scripture  into  our  understandings,  but  whtiher  they  are  so 
applied  to  our  hearts  as  to  have  wrought  a  change,  and  become 
vital  principles  of  faith  and  practice.  Nothing  short  of  this 
can  afford  evidence  of  a  saved  and  safe  condition.  There  is  an 
action  of  the  soul  by  which  it  rests  upon  Christ,  and  all  that  he 
has  done,  with  full  confidence  ;  and  this  produces  peace  in  the 
conscience.  The  more  we  see  of  ourselves,  the  more  we  see 
our  sin ;  and  the  more  we  see  our  sin,  the  more  we  fly  to  the 
death  and  righteousness  of  Christ,  for  pardon,  deliverance,  and 
hope.  W^e  behold  not  only  his  sufficiency,  but  his  willingness 
to  save  the  chief  of  sinners.  For  this  we  love  him  ;  and  if  we 
love  him,  we  desire  and  endeavour  to  keep  his  commandments  ; 
and  this  is  the  way  of  salvation. 

"  Now,  does  my  dear  boy  view  this  in  all  its  integrity  1  Do 
the  experiences  of  the  past,  strengthened  by  all  the  variety  and 
succession  of  instruction  which  you  have  from  your  infancy  re- 
ceived, work  together  to  this  great  end  ?  Can  you  be  satisfied 
with  any  thing  short  of  this  ?  God  forbid  !  Let  nothing  inter- 
rupt you  in  this  continual  work  of  self-examination ;  and  let 
self-examination  lead  you  to  earnest  and  ardent  prayer.  Let  no 
pursuits  of  literature,  no  delights  of  sense,  no  passing  occur- 
rences, no  debility  of  body,  no  inferior  subjects  of  recreation, 
prevent  you  from  keeping  your  thoughts  close  to  God  and  to 


REV.  LEGH  RICHMOND. 


285 


eternity.  Great  have  been  your  mercies,  may  your  gratitude 
be  great  likewise ! 

*'  Accustomed  as  I  am  to  close  and  faithful  dealings  with  my 
Christian  friends  and  flock,  it  would  ill  become  me  to  be  silent 
or  indifferent  where  my  dearly  beloved  child  is  concerned. 
Sickness  gives  both  you  and  me  a  wholesome  admonition.  I 
pray  God,  from  the  depths  of  my  heart,  that  we  may  each  of 
us  improve  it  to  our  spiritual  welfare.  God  may  have  great 
ihinss  to  accomplish  hereby  :  let  us  believe  and  hope  so. 

"  [  had  much  pleasure  in  shewing  you  London  ;  and  if  Pro- 
vidence permit,  may  yet  have  more,  in  viewing  the  fine  scenery, 
in  your  present  vicinity  along  with  you  :  but  whether  amongst 
the  beauties  of  art  or  nature,  never,  never  cease  to  look  for  and 
contemplate  the  God  both  of  creation  and  redemption  in  the 
midst  of  all.  Keep  a  continual  watch  over  your  disposition, 
temper,  and  thoughts.  There  are  not  only  sins  of  the  temper, 
but  of  the  understanding  also  ;  and  pride  in  every  form,  intellect- 
ual as  we'l  as  sensual,  must  be  brought  low.  '  Learn  of  me,' 
said  the  Saviour,  '  fori  am  meek  and  lowly  of  heart.'  I  write, 
as  I  would  talk  with  and  pray  for  you.  May  this  dispensation 
of  the  Almighty,  which  has  for  the  present  separated  us,  and 
given  us  cause  for  much  anxiety  on  your  account,  be  a  season 
of  much  profit  to  us  all !  Lay  these  things  to  heart,  make  them 
the  subject  of  unceasing  petition  at  that  throne,  whence  no  be- 
lieving supphcants  are  ever  sent  empty  away.  Wonder  not  that 
I  cannot  rest  contented  with  a  superficial  religion,  but  that  I  look 
for  a  deeply  experimental  lite  of  God  in  your  soul.  I  place 
time  and  eternity  before  me  in  holy  imagination.  I  strive,  as  it 
were,  to  penetrate  the  veil  which  separates  them,  and  to  look 
earnestly  at  those  things  which  belong  to  your  and  my  everlasting 
peace.  Forgive  me,  my  dear  child,  and  may  God  forgive  me, 
if  I  have  not  always  and  equally  pressed  these  subjects  upon 
your  personal  attention.  They  have  ever  lain  near  to  my  heart, 
and  you  have  had  multiplied  opportunities  of  meditating  upon 
them.  I  trust  you  have  done  so.  But  let  me  know  more  and 
more  of  your  thoughts,  past  and  present.  My  Christian  and 
parental  peace  is  dependent  greatly  upon  it.  I  am  glad  that  oui" 
friend  Dr.  Stewart  has  had  so  good  an  opportunity  of  studying 
your  case.  You  are  in  the  Lord's  hands.  May  he  overrule 
every  thing  for  your  good.  May  our  confidence  be  placed  only 
where  it  is  due  ;  and  pray  for  your  father,  and  your  father  shall 
pray  for  you.  Amongst  the  books  in  your  travelhng  library,  are 
many  most  valuable  authors.  Read,  mark,  learn,  and  inwardly 
digest  what  they  say,  so  far  as  you  find  time  and  strength  to  pe- 

25 


286 


MEMOIRS  OF  THE 


ruse  them.  Above  all,  search  the  Scriptures,  for  m  them  yon 
have  eternal  life.  Your  mother  sends  her  entire  and  most  affec- 
tionate love  to  you  :  your  sisters  and  brothers  the  same.  And 
what  shall  I  add  for  myself  ?  All  that  is  tender,  affectionatCy 
parental,  and  Christian, — From  your  father, 

"  L.  R.» 

In  the  month  of  July,  Mr.  Richmond  joined  his  son  in  Scot- 
land, using  every  nieans  for  the  restoration  ol'  his  health.  Du- 
ring a  short  interval  of  separation,  he  addressed  to  him  another 
letter,  expressive  of  the  same  ardent  desire  for  his  spiritual  wel- 
farO;  and  w  ritten  in  the  same  delightful  strain  of  warm  and  afiiec- 
tionate  feeling. 

My  dear  Wilberforce, — We  have  so  long  been  fellow-travel- 
lers and  pilgrim-;  together,  and  my  eye  and  my  heart  have  been  so 
long  accustomed  to  watch  over  you,  that  1  cannot  help  wishing 
to  indulge  my  aU'ectionate  feelings,  by  givmg  you  a  tiew  lines  du- 
ring this  short  separation,  which,  short  as  it  has  been,  never 
ceases  to  present  my  dear  boy  to  imagination  and  recollection, 
I  have  reason  to  think,  and  perhaps  the  fault  is  my  own,  that 
you  are  but  imperfectly  aware  ot  my  strong  and  anxious  feelings 
toward  you,  with  respect  both  to  your  temporal  and  spiritual 
welfare.  I  sometimes  fancy  I  see  this  in  your  manner,  and  it 
hurts  me.  I  say  little,  or  probably  nothing ;  but  my  heart  is 
alive  to  great  sensibilities.  Rest  assured,  my  much-loved  child, 
that  at  all  past  periods,  but  most  especially  since  it  has  pleased 
God  to  put  your  health,  and  of  course  with  it  your  life,  to  so 
marked  a  trial,  I  have  not  ceased  for  a  single  hour  (and  I  can 
hardly  except  the  dreaming  hours  of  the  night,)  to  make  your 
comfort  and  prosperity  the  subject  of  my  prayers  and  solicitude. 
When  you  may  least  have  suspected  it  from  my  ordinary  man- 
ner, even  my  silence  has  spoken  to  God  in  your  behalf.  Many 
and  deep  have  been  my  meditations,  as  we  ascended  the  hills^ 
and  descended  the  vales  of  Scotland  ;  or  as  we  plowed  the 
waters  with  our  prows  and  paddles.  I  have  often  experienced 
a  kind  of  stupid  impotency  of  utterance,  when  my  heart  has 
been  animated  and  full.  You  likewise  manifest  a  sort  of  reserve 
on  the  subject  of  personal  religion,  which  checks,  and  some- 
times chills,  my  rising  inclination  to  more  unreserved,  free,  con- 
genial, and  comfortable  conversation.  I  wish  all  this  to  vanish ; 
and  that  whatever  may  be  the  will  of  God  concerning  you,  the 
future  days  which  his  providence  may  permit  us  mutually  to 
spend  together,  may  be  more  distinctly  marked  by  free  and  affec- 


REV.  LEGH  RICHMOND. 


287 


tionate  communications.  But  far,  far  above  all,  it  is  my  cherish- 
ed and  anxious  hope  that  you  may  evince  an  increasing  love  to 
spiritual  thinos,  to  reading,  conversing^  and  meditating  wpon  the 
things  which  belong  to  your  everlasting  peace.  You  have  had 
your  warning  as  to  the  delicate  and  precarious  tenure  by  which 
life,  health,  and  youthful  vigour  are  held.  Every  day  and  hour 
still  reminds  you  of  the  uncertainty  of  all  things  future,  so  far 
as  this  world  is  concerned.  And  such  warnings  are  unspeak- 
able mercies,  designed  by  God  for  the  most  wise  and  benevo- 
lent purposes. 

"  The  season  of  amended  health,  and  present  suspension  of 
painful  and  distressing  symptoms  is  precisely  that  in  which  your 
heart  should  exercise  a  peculiar  jealousy  over  itself,  lest  the 
comparative  trifles  of  this  world,  and  the  ensnaring  affections  of 
the  flesh,  should  deaden  your  feelings  about  the  grand  question, 
*  What  are  the  evidences  of  my  salvation?  What  have  I  done, 
what  must  I  do  to  be  saved  ?'  Other  studies  than  those  directly 
religious,  may,  doubtless,  have  their  due  and  subordinate  place. 
Other  books  than  tht^  Holy  Scriptures  and  their  expositions  may 
also  hive  their  moderated  share  of  our  attention;  but  if  any 
human  study,  or  any  human  book,  have  more  of  our  love  and  at- 
tention, than  those  which  directly  lead  o-ir  hearts  to  God,  some- 
thing must  be  very  wrong.  Idols  force  themselves  upon  our  no- 
tice every  where,  and  lawful  things  may  become  idols  by  the  abuse 
of  them,  and  the  suffering  them  to  tisurp  the  first  place  m  the 
heart's  affections.  Never  be  contented  with  slight  and  general 
hopes  of  all  being  right  within,  but  seek  and  strive  after  clear 
and  particular  evidences,  that  you  '  know  whom  you  have  trust- 
ed,' for  time  and  eternity.  I  earnestly  entreat  you  to  examine 
yourself  daily  on  scriptural  principles,  that  you  may  the  more 
ardently  throw  yourself  on  the  mercy  of  a  covenart  God,  for 
the  forgiveness  of  your  sins,  the  renovation  of  your  heart,  and 
the  guidance  of  your  judgment.  Never  be  satisfied  with  an 
avowedly  imperfect'Christianity.  A  half  Christian  is  no  Chris- 
tian, nor  is  he  accepted  of  God.  Christ  is  a  whole,  perfect,  and 
finished  Saviour;  and  whosoever  is  a  partaker  of  Christ,  is  a  par- 
taker of  all  that  he  is,  all  that  he  has  done,  and  all  that  he  will 
do,  for  the  complete  salvation  of  all  his  chosen.  Decency, 
■  formality,  and  old  ceremonial  worship  are  poor  and  ineffica- 
cious substitutes  for  heart-service,  holy  affections,  trust  in  a  Sa- 
viour, and  love  to  God.  Not  unfrequent  are  the  times,  and 
your  dear  mother  often  experiences  them  also,  when  the  im- 
mensity of  that  question,  '  Am  I  his,  or  am  I  not?'  overwhelms 
me  ;  and  I  should  sink  in  despondency,  if  the  pure,  undeserved, 


288 


MEMOIRS  OP  THE 


and  inexpressible  mercy  of  God  did  not  direct  my  soul  to  the 
Redeemer's  blood,  which,  when  believed  in,  and  applied  to  the 
guilty  and  trembling  conscience,  cleanseth  from  all  sin,  and 
opens  the  door  to  hope  and  consolation.  May  my  beloved 
child  flee  to  the  same  founlam  with  genuine  humiUation,  and  find 
the  like  deliverance  :  and  may  his  anxious  parents  be  made  so 
far  partakers  ol  his  thoughts,  as  to  feel  strong  in  the  Lord  on  his 
account.  My  mind  was  much  affected  when  I  first  received 
you  at  the  table  i)f  the  Lord,  and  my  heart  went  out  in  hvely 
prayer,  that  you  might  also  be  received  of  God — owned,  ho- 
noured, and  accepted,  as  a  child  of  heaven.  Live,  speak,  and 
act  as  a  consistent  communicant  of  the  church  ;  the  vows  of 
the  Lord  are  upon  you  ;  but  if  all  be  right,  you  will  find  that  his 
yoke  is  easy,  and  his  burden  light.  I  wish  to  look  upon  you, 
not  only  as  my  child  by  nature,  but  as  my  spiritual  child,  and 
therefore  (without  a  paradox.)  my  spiritual  brother.  Sweet  as- 
sociations of  relationship  are  formed  in  the  family  of  God  and 
the  household  of  faith.  Many  tender  and  afiipctionate  prayers 
have  been  daily  oflfered  up  for  you  amongst  the  poor  people  of 
Turvey,  as  1  have  several  testimonies  to  prove.  We  shall  soon 
return  to  them  again,  God  willing  ;  and  may  those  prayers,  uni- 
ted to  my  own,  be  fully  answered  in  the  gracious  state  of  your 
soul,  as  well  as  in  the  comfort  of  your  bodily  health.  But  we 
must,  as  to  the  latter,  await  the  Lord's  will.  He  doeth,  and 
will  do  all  things  well.  Meditate  on  ihese  things,  and  may  you 
and  I  mutually  reap  the  benefit  of  such  exercises  of  your  heart. 
As  you  read  this  letter,  cherish  a  tender  as  ell  as  a  dutiful  sen- 
timent towards  him  who  penned  it,  and  accept  it  as  one 
more  token  of  that  deep-seated  love  which  I  bear  towards 
you,  and  which  must  increasingly  subsist,  while  /  remain  a  fa- 
ther, and  you  a  son. 

"  I  yesterday  enjoyed  the  high  mental  luxury  of  walking  in 
the  broad  aisle  of  York  Minster,  quite  alone,  during  the  morn- 
ing service.  As  often  before,  such  sights  and  such  sounds  com- 
pelled me  to  weep  ;  and  as  I  was  solitary,  nothing  interrupted 
the  flow  of  my  heart.  1  recollected  being  there  once  with  you, 
and  I  have  not  forgotten  how  much,  if  I  mistake  not,  your  infant 
heart  was  also  affected  at  that  time.  Whether  we  shall  ever 
again  meet  together  in  that  magnificent  and  astonishing  fabric, 
I  know  not ;  but,  oh !  may  God  grant  that  we  finally  meet  in 
the  '  house  not  made  with  hands,  eternal  in  the  heavens.' " 

The  summer  and  autumn  were  spent  in  Scotland,  in  various 
excursions,  both  by  land  and  sea ;  but  after  various  alternatioris 


REV.  LEGH  RICHMOND. 


289 


of  hope  and  fear  in  this  treacherous  and  delusive  disorder,  they 
returned  toc^ether  to  Turvey,  without  any  decided  amendment 
in  the  dear  invahd. 

The  period  at  length  approached  when  this  youth,  the  subject 
of  many  prayers  and  fond  anticipations,  was  to  be  removed  from 
this  earthly  scene.  The  wasted  form,  the  hectic  look,  the  sunk- 
en eye,  and  the  increasing  difficulty  of  respiration,  all  denoted 
that  the  hour  of  dissolution  was  at  hand.  He  looked  like  a  ten- 
der flower  nipped  in  the  bud  ;  but  it  w^as  a  flower  soon  to  bloom 
in  the  paradise  of  God.  His  Christian  graces  had  been  gradu-. 
ally  unfolding,  and  his  mind  carried  through  a  state  of  anxious 
inquiry  and  close  examination,  till  it  was  able  to  rest  in  full  con- 
fidence on  the  grace  and  mercy  of  God  in  Christ  Jesus.  He 
discovered  the  most  earnest  desire  for  satisfaction,  both  as  to 
the  ground  (*f  his  hope,  and  its  necessary  evidence. 

To  a  friend,  who  frequently  visited  him,  he  said,  "  I  wish  to 
be  under  no  mistake  or  delusion,  in  a  matter  of  so  much  im- 
portance as  the  salvation  of  my  immortal  soul.  Tell  me  where 
you  think  I  am  defective  in  my  views,  or  wanting  in  the  expe- 
rience of  their  power.  Deal  faithfully  with  me,  do  not  deceive 
me  ;  pray  for  me,  above  all,  that  I  may  not  deceive  myself." 

To  the  writer,  a  fortnight  before  his  death,  he  expressed  him- 
self as  follows  :  "  I  trust  I  have  the  Christian's  hope,  but  I  want 
more  of  it.  I  want  more  of  that  hungering  and  thirsting  after 
righteousness,  which  the  Saviour  has  promised  to  satisfy — which 
we  ought  to  have  at  all  times  ;  but  which,  if  we  have  not  in 
death,  what  is  our  hope,  and  how  can  we  be  prepared  to  die 

The  last  visit  was  still  more  affecting  :  it  was  only  two  days 
before  his  end.  He  was  sitting  in  an  arm  chair,  supported  with 
cushions,  and  seemed  to  be  in  a  very  exhausted  state.  His  fa- 
ther sat  opposite  to  him,  in  whose  countenance  was  depicted  the 
struggle  of  nature  and  of  grace  ; — of  nature,  for  he  was  about 
to  lose  his  child, — of  grace,  for  that  child  was  already  on  the 
very  threshold  of  glory.  In  another  part  of  the  room  were  three 
or  four  of  his  brothers  and  sisters,  some  of  them  in  tears. 

Speak  to  this  dear  boy,"  said  the  father,  addressing  himself  to 
me,  "  and  question  him  about  his  hopes." 

I  sat  down  at  his  side,  and  taking  him  by  the  hand,  said,  "  Can 
you,  my  dear  boy,  pass  through  the  valley  of  the  shadow  of 
death,  and  say  with  David,  '  I  fear  no  evil  V  "  "  Yes,  I  trust 
so."  What  is  the  ground  of  your  trust  ?"  "  It  is,  because 
his  *  rod  and  his  staff*  they  comfort  me.'  I  have  no  hope  but  in 
Christ  alone."  "  Have  you  any  doubts  to  be  removed  I 
bad  many  misgivings,  but  God  has  mercifully  taken  them  all 

25* 


290 


MEMOIRS  OF  THE 


away."  "  Is  your  heart  supremely  set  upon  God  ?  Do  you  love 
him,  who  has  given  such  a  token  of  his  love  for  you  "I  hope 
I  do,  but  I  wish  I  loved  him  more."  "  You  have  been  long  ill; 
do  you  feel  weary  of  sickness?"  "  I  feel  more  weary  of  sin, 
and  long  for  the  time  when  it  will  be  laid  aside  for  ever." 
"  Does  the  hope  of  heaven  animate  and  support  you,  and  is  its 
holiness  and  blessedness  the  subject  of  your  meditations  ?" 
"  Yes,  I  have  been  thinking  of  it  with  great  delight  this  very 
morning,  and  almost  seem  to  have  entered  within  its  blessed 
abodes." 

1  then  read  to  him  that  beautiful  chapter  in  the  Revelations 
(the  22d,)  descriptive  of  a  state  of  glory.  His  attention  was 
peQuliarly  arrested.  After  I  had  finished,  "  This  happiness,"  I 
said,  "  will  soon  be  yours,  and  the  portion  of  all  who  are  the 
Lord's."  Then  gathering  his  brothers  and  sisters  around  us,  I 
requested  him  to  bear  his  dying  testimony  to  the  value  of  the 
Gospel  in  this  trying  hour. 

He  spoke  tenderly  and  affectionately  to  all ;  the  marks  of  ap- 
proaching dissolution,  gave  an  inexpressible  interest  to  the  whole 
scene.  Then,  particularly  addressing  himself  to  his  brother 
Henry,  he  observed — "  My  dear  father  once  hoped  to  see  me  a 
minister  in  the  church.  It  has  pleased  God  to  disappoint  that 
hope.  Do  you  fulfil  it,  in  my  place,  and  be  a  comfort  to  my 
father,  when  I  am  gone." 

Three  days  afterwards,  Jan.  16,  1825,  his  happy  spirit  took 
its  flight  to  the  mansions  of  the  blessed. 

The  following  letters  are  pleasing  testimonies  to  the  piety  of 
the  departed  child,  and  the  resignation  of  the  bereaved  parent. 

"  Turvey,  Jan.  25,  1825. 
"  My  much-loved  Son, — Amidst  many  arduous  struggles  be- 
tween nature  and  grace,  sorrow  and  joy,  anxiety  and  consola- 
tion, I  wish  to  express  a  few  of  my  feelings  towards  you.  A 
very  few  they  must  be,  compared  with  the  volume  of  emotions 
which  agitate  my  heart.  But  thanks  be  to  God,  grace,  peace, 
and  mercy  have  been  so  abundantly  inscribed  upon  the  whole  of 
this  affecting  transaction,  that  I  ought  solely  to  be  occupied  in 
songs  of  praise  to  God,  for  all  his  goodness  to  me  and  mine. 
The  delightful  enlargement  of  heart,  the  liberty  of  tongue,  the 
humiliation  of  soul,  the  affectionate  tenderness,  the  sweet  sere- 
nity of  mind,  the  dignity  of  sentiment,  the  laboriously  acquired 
intimacy  with  the  Scriptures,  the  earnestness  to  speak  to,  ex- 
hort, and  comfort  each  and  every  individual,  the  devotional  spi- 


REV.  LEGH  RICHMOND. 


291 


rit,  tke  clearness  of  doctrinal  views,  and  their  blessed  applica- 
tion in  imparting  solid  peace  and  comfort,  in  the  prospect  of 
dying,  all  of  which  illustrated  and  adorned  his  latter  end,  were 
beyond  my  most  sanguine  expectation  :  it  was,  and  shall  be, 
matter  for  joy  and  gratitude. 

"  We  have  now  found  letters,  some  of  them  near  four  years 
old,  and  others  written  while  he  was  in  Scotland,  beautifully  de- 
scriptive of  his  state  of  mind  ;  while  the  conversations — close, 
deep,  and  searching — which  1  enjoyed  with  him  during  the  last 
fortnight,  produced  the  most  convincmg  demonstrations  that  he 
had  been  ripening  for  glory,  beyond  our  thoughts  and  imagina- 
tion. For  a  season,  he  was  reserved  towards  me,  relative  to 
personal  feelings  ;  but  at  length,  of  his  own  accord,  he  broke 
out  like  the  sun  from  behind  a  cloud,  and  light  diffused  itself  over 
the  whole  moral  and  spiritual  landscape. 

"  It  was  gratifying  to  me  to  find  that  the  humiliation  of  his 
spirit  was  precisely  such  as  I  particularly  wished  to  see  it.  For 
four  or  five  days  previous  to  the  arrival  of  my  wife  and  Fanny. 
God  so  mercifully  ordered  it,  that  he  said  every  thing  to  me,  and 
I  to  him,  which  I  could  possibly  have  wished.  Our  whole  souls, 
on  almost  every  topic  of  feeUng,  opmion,  confidence,  faithful 
dealing,  and  unreserved  affection,  were  mutually  opened.  Oh : 
they  were  sweet  days.  The  pressure  of  weakness,  disease, 
and  pain  often  afterwards  interrupted  our  lengthened  communi- 
cations ;  but  sweeter  and  brighter  still  were  the  intervals  of  ease 
and  short  conversation.  Many  witnessed  his  lovely  testimo- 
nies, and  none  can  ever  forget  them. 

"  Two  hours  and  a  half  before  his  death,  he  went  to  bed,  and 
laid  his  head  upon  the  pillow.  1  said  to  him — '  So  he  giveth  his 
beloved  rest.'  He  replied,  '  Yes  ,  and  sweet  indeed  is  the  rest 
which  Christ  gives.'  He  never  awoke  from  this  sleep  :  but 
when  we  dreaded,  from  past  example.?,  a  painful  waking,  he  im- 
perceptibly went  off,  in  perfect  peace,  without  a  sigh,  or  groan, 
'or  struggle,  or  even  opening  of  the  eye.  I  did  not  suppose  it 
possible  for  any  death  to  be  such  as  this.  Peace,  rest,  gentle- 
ness, faith,  hope,  and  love,  all  seemed  to  be  the  characteristics 
of  his  mind  and  of  his  dissolution.  Oh  !  what  love,  what  mer- 
cy, what  grace ! 

"  One  of  the  most  remarkable  circumstances  attending  him 
was,  his  secret  and  deep  exercise  of  heart  and  study  of  the 
Scriptures,  beyond  my  own  supposition,  owing  to  his  reserve 
and  silence.  1  saw  much  that  I  loved  and  admired,  but  I  was 
not  aware  of  the  half.  Our  feelings  are  much  tried,  in  propor- 
tion to  the  endearing  nature  of  our  past  and  recent  intercourse. 


292 


MEMOIRS  OF  THE 


But,  as  he  often  said,  '  I  know  whom  I  have  trusted,'  and  this 
reheves  and  consoles  me.  He  was  deeply  impressed  with  the 
idea  that  his  removal  was  designed  for  the  spiritual  good  of 
others.  I  think  it  is  manifest  already,  in  more  instances  than 
one. 

"  The  whole  village  has  been  much  in  prayer  and  weeping, 
for  some  weeks  past,  and  the  tenderest  affections  have  prevailed 
throughout  :  it  is  a  season  of  much  love. 

^'  On  Sunday,  Mr.  Ayre  will  preach  a  funeral  sermon,  for  our 
dear  boy  ;  and  a  beautiful  hymn  of  Bishop  Heber  will  be  sung 
by  the  congregation. 

"  Give  my  tenderest  love  to  dear  Mary.  Comfort  her  heart ; 
and  may  the  peace  of  God,  which  passeth  all  understandings 
keep  hers  and  your  heart. 

To  the  Rev.  James  Mar^halW^ 

My  ever  dear  Child,* 

u*  *  ****** 

"  And  now  to  the  subject  which  occupies  by  far  the  greater 
part  of  my  thoughts,  by  day  and  by  night.  I  should  find  it  no 
easy  task  to  describe  the  state  of  my  feelings.  No  previous 
event  of  my  life,  with  the  exception  of  what  passed  during  your 
"beloved  mother's  dangerous  illness,  near  ten  years  since,  ever 
exercised  my  heart  like  this.  And  as  that  illness  terminated 
favourably,  the  circumstances  no  longer  assimilate.  Dear, 
blessed  boy,  I  watched  over  and  cherished  his  infancy,  child- 
hood, and  youth,  in  sickness  and  in  health,  for  eighteen  years, 
with  no  common  measure  of  parental  feeling.  I  delighted  in 
his  superior  mind  ;  endeavoured  to  check  its  errors,  and  to  che- 
rish its  virtues  ;  and  too  fondly  hoped  that  he  might  have  been 
spared  as  an  ornament  to  the  sanctuary.  From  the  beginning 
of  last  summer  I  went  on  pilgrimage  with  him,  both  for  his  soul 
and  body's  sake.  God  alone  knows  what  1  endured,  in  the  in- 
most thoughts  of  my  heart.  But  the  liord  was  ordering  all 
things  well,  beyond  what  I  conceived.  The  most  valuable  in- 
tercourse which  I  enjoyed  with  him  during  our  Scotch  residence, 
was  in  those  hours  after  breakfast,  when,  as  you  may  remember, 
I  used  to  read,  talk,  and  pray  with  him,  previous  to  his  receiving 
the  sacrament  at  Greenock.  I  then  saw  many  lovely  testimo- 
nies of  his  state  of  mind.  After  his  return  home,  he  was  more 
reserved  as  to  the  personal  question,  although  ever  ready  to  con- 
verse on  the  general  subjects  of  religion,  and  that  with  much 


*  Mrs.  Marshall. 


REV.  LEGH  RICHMOND. 


293 


clearness  and  precision.  But  at  length  his  sweet  sunshine 
broke  from  the  cloud,  and  filled  the  horizon  most  beautifully. 
We  poured  out  our  whole  heart to  each  other,  and  mutually 
blessed  God  for  the  liberty  of  feeling  and  language  which  we 
obtained.  I  felt  much  when  he  had  just  departed,  but  I  think  I 
feel  more  now.  A  thousand  spiritual  questions  press  upon  my 
conscience  and  consideration.  Regrets,  convictions,  meltings, 
hopes,  fears,  doubts,  resolutions,  anxieties,  joys,  retrospections, 
anticipations,  all  mingle,  all  exercise,  all  agitate  my  heart.  It 
was  his  declared  and  sole  on  impression,  that  his  death  was  to 
be  as  life  to  others.  Thank  God  I  see  it  so,  both  in  the  house 
and  the  parish — an  important  work  is  going  on  in  both,  beyond 
former  precedent.  I  have  not  seen  the  like  before,  to  the  same 
extent.    Blessed  be  God  ! 

"  Dear  Willy  told  me,  on  the  Monday  evenmg  before  he 

died,  that    Mr.  M  's  affectionate  attentions  to  him  had 

never  been  exceeded  by  those  of  a  real  brother  ;  and  that  he 
should  love  him  dearly  as  long  as  he  lived,  and  '  much  longer,' 
he  said,  '  if  such  consciousness  shall  be  permitted.  And  dear 
Mary,'  he  added,  '  how  kind  she  was  to  us  all,  last  summer !  I 
shall  not  see  her  again  on  earth,  but  I  trust  we  shall  meet  here- 
after !'  Our  last  Lord's  supper  was  a  very  affecting  and  trying 
one :  the  family  kneeled  around  the  grave,  to  which  we  had  re- 
cently comuiitted  the  mortal  remains  of  one  so  dear.  I  stood 
upon  the  very  spot ;  and  dear  Henry,  for  the  first  time,  came 
weeping,  trembling,  and  rejoicing,  to  supply  his  departed  bro- 
ther's place.  I  could  hardly  have  conceived  that  after  so  long 
meditating  upon  the  probable  removal  of  my  child  from  this  mor- 
tal scene,  I  should  have  had  such  exquisitely  trying  emotions  to 
undergo.  How  little  we  know  ourselves  until  we  are  put  to  the 
proof!'* 

Some  months  after  this  afflicting  bereavement,  Mr.  Richmond 
married  his  third  daughter,  i  lenrietta,  to  the  Rev.  John  Ayre, 
his  friend  and  curate,  now  the  classical  tutor  of  the  Church 
Missionary  college,  at  Islington. 

It  was  a  great  solace  m  the  midst  of  his  affliction,  to  unite 
his  child  with  a  gentleman  whose  principles  he  cordially  approved, 
and  who  was  in  full  possession  of  his  confidence  and  esteem. 

The  following  letters  were  addressed  by  Mr.  Richmond  to  his 
son-in-law  and  daughter  previous  to  their  marriage. 

My  dear  Henrietta, — Take,  my  beloved  child,  a  father's. 


^94 


MEMOIRS  OF  THE 


blessing,  prayers,  best  wishes,  and  approval  of  your  affectionate 
project.    I  hope  the  matter  is  of  God,  or  I  could  not  say  what 
I  have  done.    'I'he  apostolical  rule  is  to  '  marry  only  in  the  I 
Lord  ;'  and  every  Christian  should  be  guided  by  it.    Earthly  : 
affection,  however  powerful,  is  not  of  itself  a  warrant  for  the 
nuptial  union.    Where  passion  drives  the  steeds  by  which  the  i 
vehicle  of  our  plans  and  endeavours  is  carried  forward,  we  may  \ 
expect,  sooner  or  larer,  an  overturn.    But  when  the  heavenly- 
Spirit  of  truth  and  peace  guides  and  governs  our  machinery  of 
conduct,  all  is  right  and  safe.     Now  I  am  full  of  hope,  from  Mr. 
Ayre's  and  your  letters,  that  this  is  the  case.     Real  Christianity 
as  a  foundation,  u  ith  personal  esteem  and  affection,  united  to ' 
congeniality  of  feelings  on  all  important  subjects,  as  a  super- 
structure, will  ever  make  the  marriage  union  a  source  of  happi- 
ness for  both  worlds. 

"  I  am  disposed  to  concur  with  you  in  thinking  that  my  es- 
teemed friend's  principles,  acquirements,  talents,  and  steadiness 
of  character  are  good  pledges  for  his  success  in  life  ;  and  as 
Providence,  not  design  first  brought  y<wi  together,  and  seems 
to  have  guided  you  both,  I  feel  myself  justified  in  joining  my 
consent  and  sanction  to  the  future  realizing  of  those  views  which 
form  the  subject  of  his  and  your  letters  to  me.  May  con-tancy, 
faithfulness,  and  reciprocal  love,  characterize  your  attachment, 
and  adorn  your  conduct.  Let  prudence,  propriety,  and  consi- 
deration, regulate  all  your  behaviour,  during  the  interval  which 
must  naturally  elapse,  before  all  is  concluded.  Keep  in  mind 
the  dignity  as  well  as  the  kindlmess  of  the  Christian  lover; 
courtship  and  marriage  are  honourable  in  all,  wh^n  principle  and 
grace  direct  our  chf)ice.  May  you  prove  a  blessing  to  each 
other,  and  may  the  love  of  God  be  shed  abroad  in  both  your 
hearts !" 

"  My  dear  friend, — Of  all  human  connexions  and  projects, 
none  appears  to  be  of  more  importance  than  that  of  marrijage. 
Whatever  is  valuable  in  private  hfe,  vhatever  is  prosperous  m 
public  life,  whatever  is  scriptural  in  spiritual  life,  and  whatever 
is  momentous  in  eternal  life,  has  a  deep  'oundation  laid,  in  the 
economy  of  providence  and  grace,  in  marriage.  It  should  be 
built  upon  the  purest  principles  of  faith,  hope,  and  love.  It 
unites  two  souls  for  time  and  eternity.  It  educates  souls  for  the 
church  of  God.  It  forms,  or  reforms,  or  deforms  character. 
It  blesses  or  it  curses.  It  makes  happy  or  miserable.  It  brings 
every  precept  of  religion  into  active  exercise.  Therefore,  when 
jrightly  undertaken,  '  marriage  is  honourable  in  all.'    You,  my 


REV.  LEGH  RICHMOND, 


295 


friend,  I  am  persuaded,  are  convinced  of  these  truths,  and  I 
doubt  not  wish  to  prove  it  in  the  present  instance. 
I  "I  trust  the  providence  of  God  is  in  the  matter,  and  that  you 
and  my  dear  child  will  be  guided  for  the  best  m  every  thing  con- 
nected with  the  subject.  My  prayer  is  that  grace  may  reign 
throughout,  and  that  you  may  prove  helpmates  to  each  other  in 
your  pilgrimage  through  this  in  a  better  world. 

"  My  heart  often  sinks  within  me,  when  I  see  how  little  solid, 
sterling  vital  piety,  manit'ests  itself  even  amongst  many  credita- 
ble Cnristians.  I  the  more  earnestly  pray  tor  myself,  and  for 
all  belonging  to  me,  that  we  may  alk  circumspectly,  redeeming 
the  time  amidst  evil  days,  i  ow  much  more  ot  the  Spirit's  in-^ 
fluence  do  we  all  need  !  When  I  look  back  upon  a  half-century 
of  rational  existence,  I  blush,  and  take  shame  to  myself.  How- 
much  done  which  I  might  wish  iiudone ;  and  not  done,  that  ought 
to  have  been  done.  ihe  Publican's  prayer  is  mine,  and  will 
alone  suit  me,  even  to  my  dying  huur. 

"  Farewell,  for  a  short  interval,  and  beheve  me, — Affection- 
ately, yours, 

"  Legh  Richmond. 
"  Rev.  John  Ayre,  Turvey,  Olney,  Bucks.'' 

The  marriage  between  Mr.  Ayre  and  Mr.  Richmond's  daugh- 
ter H  ,  took  place  in  the  beginning  of  July.    The  affection 

displayed  by  the  villagers  on  this  occasion  was  truly  gratifying 
to  the  feelings  of  the  family.  When  the  party  arrived  at  the 
church,  they  tbund  the  walls  decorated  with  evergreens,  and  the 
pavement  leading  to  the  altar  strewed  w  ith  flowers.  Two  hearts, 
formed  with  the  heads  of  flowers,  and  the  words  "  May  God 
bless  you !"  traced  in  the  same  manner  underneath,  exhibited 
both  the  taste  and  the  affection  of  the  parish  clerk.  This  rustic 
attempt  at  elegance,  so  unsought  for  and  unexpected,  was  a 
pleasing  testimony  to  the  interest  excited  in  the  parish,  by  every 
event  connected  with  their  beloved  pastor. 

Mr.  Richmond  did  not  suffer  his  daughter  to  leave  her  paternal 
roof,  without  expressing  his  solicitude  for  her  future  welfare,  by 
addressing  to  her  a  series  of  admonitions,  from  which  we  select 
the  following. 

••1.  Keep  a  devoted  heart  to  God  in  the  least  and  most  com- 
mon trc.nsactions  of  every  h(!ur  ;  as  well  as  in  those  events  which 
may  seem  to  call  the  loudest  for  manifestation  of  religious  con- 
science and  principle. 

2.  Pray  regularly  and  frequently  for  grace  to  hve  and  die  by. 


296  MEMOIRS  OF  THE  ^ 

"  3.  In  every  possible  circumstance  keep  in  mind  that  God's 
eye  is  upon  you. 

"  4.  Beware  of  forming  hasty  judgments  of  characters  ;  and 
above  all  of  hastily  uttermg  sentiments  and  remarks  to  their 
disparagement.  Be  known  for  charity,  forbearance,  and  kind- 
ness. 

"  5.  Keep  Christ's  golden  rule,  in  constant  remembrance. 
He  is  the  Panacea  for  most  of  the  evils  of"  this  hfe,  so  far  as 
they  are  connected  with  social  intercourse. 

"  6.  Avoid  all  prejudices  against  nations,  churches,  sects  and 
parties.  They  are  the  bane  of  both  pubhc  and  private  charity, 
and  comfort  ;  and  are  directly  contrary  to  the  spirit  and  letter 
of  Christianity.  You  may  and  ought  to  have  conscientious, 
well  grounded  preferences,  but  not  one  half-formed,  ill-formed 
prejudice  agamst  any. 

7.  Be  courteous  to  all,  friendly  with  few,  intimate  with  few- 
er, still  strictly  confidential  with  fewest  of  all. 

"  8.  Choose  female  intimates,  as  opportunities  may  present 
them,  with  circumspection.  Many  civil,  hospitable,  agreeable 
people  are,  after  all,  not  improving  companions.  We  may  owe 
and  pay  them  the  debt  of  civility,  kindness,  and  gratitude,  and 
yet  not  be  obliged  to  give  them  too  much  of  our  voluntary  time 
and  affection.  Two  or  three  truly  Christian  women  comprise 
a  circle  of  large  and  profitable  friendship — seek — and  may  you 
succeed  in  finding  them. 

9.  Be  not  contented  with  any  thing  short  of  deep,  devoted, 
diligent,  decided  seriousness.  Make  not  the  too  numerous  half- 
hearted, and  decent  but  dubious  Christians  your  pattern  for  imi- 
tation. Let  your  mark  and  standard  be  very  high,  and  your  aim 
be  steady  and  determinate. 

"10.  If  you  and  your  husband  happen  to  differ  in  opinion  and 
feeling  upon  any  point,  remember  whom  you  have  promised  to 
love,  honour,  and  obey.    This  will  settle  all  things. 

"11.  I  trust  your  heart  is  taught  in  the  real  school  of  Christ. 
Inquire  with  much  prayer  into  this  day  by  day.  Trust  not  to 
'past  privileges,  education,  or  experience.  Seek  for  present  evi- 
dences, such  as  would  comfort  you  under  sudden  alarms  and 
distresses,  should  they  occur.  Study  your  own  character  and 
disposition,  as  drawn  from  a  review  of  your  whole  past  life ;  and 
often  carry  to  the  Lord,  in  prayer  and  confession,  what  results 
from  such  self-examination. 

"12.  Study  and  observe  great  simplicity  and  plainness  in 
dress.    A  clergyman's  wife  should  be  a  pattern  of  simplicity  in " 
that  particular.    It  is  a  just  outcry  against  too  many  professing 


REV.  LEGH  RICHMOND. 


297 


females,  that  they  are  much  too  showy  and  gay  in  their  outward 
apparel — Remember  the  Apostle's  injunction  on  this  important 
subject.    1  Peter  iii.  1 — 6. 

"  13.  You  are  bidding  farewell  to  your  father's  house,  as  the 
home  of  your  infancy,  childhood,  and  youth — Yet  the  remem- 
brance of  that  home  will  be  dear  to  you  for  hfe,  wherever  your 
new  home  may  be  situated.  I  repeat — remember  the  religious 
principles  of  your  father's  house,  at  all  times,  and  in  all  places  ; 
may  they  prove  a  guide  to  you  in  life,  and  a  consolation  in  death. 
Christ  has  been  freely  and  fully  made  known  to  you.  Let  Christ 
be  your  all,  now  ;  hereafter  ;  for  ever  !" 

We  have  already  mentioned  the  disappointment  of  Mr.  Rich- 
mond with  respect  to  his  eldest  son  Nugent,  and  the  choice 
made  by  the  youth  of  a  seafaring  lite.  The  affectionate  father 
committed  his  son  to  the  providence  and  grace  of  God,  with  an 
unshaken  reliance  on  the  truth  and  faithfulness  of  his  promises ; 
and  he  lived  to  realize  their  fulfilment  in  the  conversion  of  his 
child,  who,  being  preserved  in  the  midst  of  perils,  by  some  very 
extraordinary  interpositions  of  divine  Providence,  was  at  length 
brought  to  acknowledge  the  mighty  hand  that  had  smitten  him — 
not  to  destroy,  but  to  save. 

He  had  been  employed  in  different  merchant  vessels,  sailing 
from  Bencoolen,  Calcutta,  and  other  parts  of  India,  to  the  Isle 
of  France  and  Gibraltar.  From  the  latter  place,  he  wrote  to  his 
father  in  the  years  1820  and  1821,  strongly  urging  a  meeting 
between  them.  His  letters  had  been  expressive  of  much  affec- 
tion, contrition  for  the  past,  and  sincere  desires  of  amendment. 
Several  persons,  who  had  opportunities  of  observing  him,  bore 
pleasing  testimony  to  the  change  of  his  character  and  conduct. 
Among  these  were  Mr.  Chater,  a  missionary  at  Ceylon ;  Mr. 
Rees,  another  missionary,  at  Gibraltar ;  and  Lieutenant  Bailey, 
R.  N.,  of  the  same  place,  who  gave  a  decisive  proof  of  his 
confidence,  by  entrusting  him  with  the  care  of  his  son.  The 
officers  under  whom  he  had  served  also  spoke  highly  of  his 
attention,  and  general  propriety  of  behaviour. 

The  follo\fing  interesting  letter  gives  an  affecting  description 
of  a  shipwreck  which  he  suffered,  and  the  state  of  his  feelings 
in  those  awful  circumstances  : — 

"  My  dear  Father,— We  left  Calcutta  in  May,  and  proceeded 
as  far  as  Saugur  island,  on  the  morning  of  the  26th,  when  the 
weather  began  to  look  very  unsettled.  Another  ship,  and  a 
large  brig,  were  in  company  with  us.    On  the  evening  of  the 

26 


298 


MEMOIRS  OF  THE 


27th,  about  an  hour  before  dark,  the  Oracabessa  began  to  drive. 
A  perfect  hurricane  ensued,  and  such  a  sea  got  up,  that  the  ship 
was  continufiliy  buryiniT  herself  under  water,  which  prevented 
the  people  from  w')rking  forward.  We  could  now  do  nothin  g 
farther — every  thing  having  been  attempted  to  avoid  the  dread- 
ful fate  that  seemed  to  await  us.  I  seized  this  opportunity  to  go 
down  to  my  cabin,  to  pray  to  the  Lord  for  his  divine  ekssistance 
and  protection.  In  the  midst  of  my  prayers  and  tears,  the  ship 
struck  on  a  sand,  at  a  quarter  before  nine  o'clock  ;  with  such  a 
shock,  as  to  throw  down  several  persons,  and  made  me  stag^ 
ger  on  my  knees. 

"  Every  thing  was  now  in  confusion,  as  the  ship  continued 
striking  very  hard.  There  was  nothing  but  one  wild  surf  around 
us,  and  a  raging  sea  beating  all  over, — the  wind  blowing  a  com- 
plete hurricane.  However,  in  two  hours  an  excellent  raft  was 
made,  capable  of  carrying  from  thirty  to  forty  people.  As  the 
jflood  made,  we  again  struck  violently,  and  the  ship  sprung  a 
leak.  But  as  every  thing  was  now  in  readiness  to  meet  the 
worst,  we  anxiously  waited  for  daylight. 

"  In  the  meantime,  i  again  went  below,  and  prayed  with 
heart  and  soul  to  Almighty  God  to  save  us.  My  prayers  were 
answered  sooner  than  could  be  expected  ;  for  a  certain  some- 
thing, a  kind  of  comfortable  thought,  seemed  to  arise  within  me, 
and  say,  '  Thy  life  shall  be  saved  !'  And  not  all  the  shocks, 
seas,  or  wind,  afterwards,  could  make  me  think  or  fear  the  con- 
trary. Surely  there  never  was  a  greater  proof  of  the  Lord  being 
with  us:  it  animated  and  comforted  me,  and  made  me  work  and 
exert  myself  with  double  energy.  During  a  great  part  of  this 
time  it  rained  violently,  with  thunder  and  hghtning. 

"  Long-wished-for  daylight  at  length  came;  when,  having 
put  a  few  small  things  into  the  boats,  we  abandoned  the  unfor- 
tunate ship,  making  our  way  through  dreadful  breakers  ;  in 
which,  had  the  boat  touched,  we  must  inevitably  have  perished." 

In  another  letter,  written  about  the  same  time,  he  remarks  : — 
Oh  !  my  good  father  !  no  one  can  conceive  the  horrors  of 
shipwreck,  but  those  who  have  experienced  them.  Many  grate- 
ful and  heartfelt  thanks  to  that  divine  Providence,  that  has  again 
saved  me  from  a  watery  grave  ! 

"In  this  unfortunate  occurrence,  I  have  lost  every  thing.  My 
loss  in  private  speculation  is  3500  rupees.  My  books,  furni- 
ture, and  wearing  apparel,  together  with  '  The  British  En- 
cyclopedia,' are  all  gone,  and  amount  to  a  considerable  sum.  I 
saved  nothing  but  a  very  small  trunk,  in  which,  prior  to  my 


REV.  LEGH  RICHMOND. 


299 


leaving  the  ship,  I  put  my  Bible  and  the  ^\nnals  of  the  Poor,' 
with  two  suits  of  clothes  and  my  watch.  How  my  hopes  and 
expectations  are  frustrated  !  Oh,  that  all  this  may  be  for  my 
good  !  I  have  now  to  begin  the  world  agam  ;  and  hope  to  do  so 
in  reahty,  and  in  more  respects  than  one." 

Nugent  arrived  at  Calcutta  in  a  most  destitute  state.  Through 
the  great  kindness  and  benevolent  exertions  of  the  Rev.  Mr. 
Thomason,  to  whom  he  made  himself  known,  a  subscription 
was  raised  for  him,  out  of  respect  to  his  father,  amounting  to 
100  guineas,  by  means  of  which,  he  was  provided  with  necessary 
comforts. 

This  calamity  was  rendered  the  more  distressing  to  him,  by 
its  occasioning  the  suspension  of  his  marriage  with  a  young  lady 
at  Calcutta,  of  pious  character  and  principles,  to  whom  he  was 
engaged.  Anxious  to  repair  his  past  misfortunes,  he  obtained 
an  eligible  employment  on  board  another  vessel ;  and  hkewise 
a  promise,  on  the  part  of  the  young  lady,  that  if  his  circum- 
stances enabled  him  to  marry,  she  would  unite  herself  to  him  on 
his  return. 

His  new  speculations  having  proved  successful,  he  once 
more  returned  to  Calcutta,  full  of  the  image  of  the  happiness  that 
awaited  him,  and  disposed  to  forget  the  past,  in  the  briorhtening 
prospects  of  the  futtire.  But  who  shall  describe  the  bitter  an- 
guish of  his  mind,  when,  on  presenting  himself  at  the  well-known 
house  where  he  had  left  his  intended  bride,  he  found  the  family 
in  deep  mourning,  and  received  the  melancholy  intelligence  of 
her  death.  She  had  been  seized  with  a  fever,  which  carried  her 
off  a  few  days  before  his  arrival ! 

While  Mr.  Richmond  was  paying  a  second  visit  to  the  Isle  of 
Wight,  in  August  1S25,  to  recover  the  shock  vvhich  his  health 
and  spirits  had  sustained  from  the  death  of  his  son  ^  .'il'  grforce, 
some  indistinct  rumours  reached  him  respecting  that  of  his  son 
Nugent.  He  had  received  communications  from  him,  stating 
his  intention  to  revisit  England  ;  and  declaring,  that  the  two 
happiest  days  of  his  life  would  be,  "  first,  when  he  should  see 
again  his  dear  parents,  after  so  long  an  absence  ;  and  the  se- 
cond, when  he  should  be  weaned  from  the  dang  er  of  temptation." 
Mr.  Richmond  was  anticipating  his  return  with  much  delight, 
when  he  heard  the  report  of  his  having  died  on  his  voyatre  home- 
wards. Every  inquiry  was  made  to  ascertain  the  truth  of  this 
rumour,  and  the  father's  heart,  was  again  filled  with  the  most 
anxious  disquietude. 


300 


MEMOIRS  OP  THE 


In  the  same  year  Mr.  Richmond  went  to  Bristol,  Gloucester, 
Worcester,  and  Hereford,  to  be  present  at  the  anniversaries  of 
the  Jewish  Auxiliary  Society.  On  his  return  to  Turvey,  he 
wrote  the  follo>ving  letter  to  his  eldest  daughter,  in  Scotland, — 
a  child  very  dear  to  his  heart,  and  one  who  well  knew  how 
to  sympathize  with  his  sorrows,  and  to  share  them  with  him. 

"  My  dearest  Mary, — I  have  lately  been  present  at  an  inte- 
resting meeting  of  the  Jewish  Auxiliary  Society,  at  Bristol. 
You  know  my  companions  in  this  journey  :  I  feel  better  for  it. 
My  strength  and  spirits  have  been  greatly  affected  for  a  long 
time — indescribably  so ;  for  it  often  does  not  much  appear  to 
others,  at  least  not  in  its  real  extent.  Notwithstanding  my  sup- 
posed readiness  of  speech,  and  the  overflow  of  tender  feelings, 
which  plead  for  utterance,  I  am  often  thoughtful,  silent,  and 
constrained,  when  it  might  be  better  for  me  to  communicate 
more  of  what  passes  within. 

"  Our  visit  to  Mrs.  Hannah  More  was  a  high  gratification. 

"  We  have  been  kept  in  long  suspense  about  poor  dear  Nu- 
gent ;  he  was  dangerously  ill  when  I  last  heard  of  him.  I  have 
reason  to  expect  a  speedy  letter  now  arriving  in  England.  I 
have  received  rumours  of  his  having  died  in  his  passage  home, 
and  am  fully  prepared  for  the  worst ;  but  do  not  notice  what  I  say 
until  you  hear  again,  as  it  distresses  your  dear  mother  greatly. 
I  thank  God  I  have  had  many  satisfactory  testimonies  of  his 
state  of  mind,  and  feel  much  comforted  on  that  head.  Henry 
and  I  were  three  weeks  under  the  roof  of  his  intimate  and  very 
Christian  friend,  Lieutenant  Bailey,  R.  N.,  from  Gibraltar,  now 
at  Cowes  ;  and  collected  many  interesting  circumstances  rela- 
ting to  him.  I  desire  to  bow  to  the  will  of  God,  in  this  dispen- 
sation of  his  providence.  I  saw  one  of  his  most  intimate 
friends  last  week,  who  had  just  come  from  the  East,  and  had 
heard  a  report  of  his  decease.  I  mention  these  things  to  you,  that, 
with  me,  you  may  look  up  to  God  for  a  right  state  of  mind,  un- 
der all  the  designs  and  decrees  of  his  will. 

"  I  have  had  the  satisfaction  of  obtaining  likenesses,  very 
nicely  executed,  in  the  same  style  with  those  of  your  father  and 
mother  (in  the  drawing-room,)  of  Fanny,  Henry,  Henrietta,  and 
Legh.  I  wish  for  yours  and  Mr.  Marshall's,  by  the  same  hand. 
My  feelings  are  strong  on  this  subject,  and  the  irrecoverable  loss 
of  my  dear  Wilberforce,  and  probably  of  Nugent,  render  them 
stronger.  It  is,  I  had  almost  said,  a  blessed  art,  which  can 
perpetuate  to  the  eye,  what  affectionate  memory  does  to  the 
heart.    In  the  midst  of  life  we  are  in  death,  and  who  can  tell 


EEV.  LEGH  RICHMOND.  '  301 


%vliat  may  occur !  I  honour  the  art  of  painting  much,  for  the 
sake  both  of  the  dead  and  living.  I  often  look  around  my  stu- 
dy, surrounded  as  I  am  by  the  resemblances- of  many  loved  and 
honoured  ancestors  ;  and  their  forms  on  canvas  reahze  not  a 
few  grateful  recollections  of  infancy,  childhood,  and  youth.  I 
can  sigh  and  weep,  and  smile  too,  in  the  solitude  of  my  cham- 
ber, when  I  am  still,  and  communing  with  my  own  heart. 

Just  as  I  finish  my  letter,  I  cast  my  eye  on.  V^'iliy's  walk- 
ing-stick. Oh !  how  these  relics  strike  to  my  soul's  affec- 
tions i  With  our  two  sticks,  alas  I  he  and  I  wandered  on 
the  shores  of  Rothsay  and  the  adjoming  walks,  and  m  many 
another  spot ;  and  now  they  stand  side-by-side,  ii»  the  corner 
of  my  study.  The  partnership  of  the  sticks  is  preserved 
on  earth,  but  not  that  of  their  possessors  ; — we  are  separated. 
Yet,  oh  I  that  we  may  be  re-united.  INIedhations  on  this  sub- 
ject often  agitate,  sometimes  console  always  solemnize  my 
mind. 

Farewell.    Love  to  your  fire-side.'' 

After  the  lapse  of  a  few  weeks,  a  letter  arrived  from  the  Rev. 
Mr.  Thomason,  of  Calcutta,  dated  January  23d,  1825,  stating 
that  Xugent  had  left  that  place  in  July,  1824,  in  a  vessel  bound 
to  the  Mauritius  : — that  he  had  been  previously  seized  with  a 
fever,  from  which  he  was  not  perfectly  recovered  at  the  time  of 
settmg  sail : — that  afterwards,  being  exposed  to  very  severe 
Aveather,  he  experienced  a  relapse — was  occasionally  delirious  ; 
and  at  length,  to  the  surprise  of  all  on  board,  was  found  dead 
one  morning,  in  bis  cabin.  A  little  ivory  box  was  discovered, 
containing  a  few  jev/els  and  gold  chains,  which  he  had  intended 
as  presents  to  his  brothers  and  sisters.  On  the  inside  of  the 
cover  of  this  box,  the  following  hues  were  written  in  his  own 
hand,  in  pejicil,  apparently  a  short  time  before  his  death  : — , 

"  Where  vice  has  held  its  empire  long, 
'Twiil  not  endure  the  least  control  ; 
None  but  a  pon-er  divinely  strong 
Can  turn  the  current  of  the  soul. 

"  Great  God  !  I  own  thy  power  drvinc, 
That  works  to  change  this  hearl  of  mine  ' 
I  would  be  formed  anew,  and  bless 
The  wonders  of  renewing  grace." 

Such  is  the  eventful  history  of  Mr.  Richmond's  oldest 
son  :  at  once  affording  a  salutary  warning  to  the  children 
of  religious  parents,  and  encouraging  such  parents  to  exercise 
unhmited  confidence  in  the  promises  of  God.     Let  those 

26* 


302 


MEMOIRS  OP  THE 


who  trifle  with  their  opportunities,  and  refuse  to  hearken  to 
the  counsels  of  piety  and  affection,  mark,  in  the  bhghted 
prospects  and  repeated  trials  of  this  young  man,  an  expression 
of  the  Divine  displeasure.  For  though  in  the  midst  of  wrath 
God  remembers  mercy,  yet  in  his  inscrutable  wisdom  he  often 
makes  a  man  "to  possess  the  iniquities  of  his  youth  ;"  and  in 
his  sore  chastisement,  keeps  alive  the  penitent  recollection  of 
the  sins  which  he  has  long  since  pardoned.  Let  pious  parents 
while  mourning  over  the  wanderings  of  their  offspring,  never 
cease  from  the  holy  importunity  of  prayer,  that  God  would  meet 
the  prodigal  "  in  his  ways,"  and  turn  him  into  the  paths  of 
righteousness  and  truth ;  that,  like  Mr.  Richmond,  they  who 
have  "  sowed  in  tears,  may  reap  in  joy." 

A  tablet  was  erected  by  his  father,  in  the  church  of  Turvey, 
recording  the  manner  of  his  death.  The  last  four  lines  of  the 
above  verses  were  added,  together  with  the  following  appro- 
priate passage  from  the  Psalms — "  Thou  shalt  shew  us  wonder- 
ful things  in  thy  righteousness,  O  God  of  our  salvation,  thou 
that  art  the  hope  of  all  the  ends  of  the  earth,  and  of  them  that 
remain  in  the  broad  sea." — (Ps.  Ixv.  5.) 

In  reference  to  the  death  of  his  son  Nugent,  he  wrote  the 
following  letters  : — 

To  his  daughter,  Mrs.  Marshall,  Glasgow : 

"  My  ever  dear  Daughter, 

*  *  *  *  * 

"  The  circumstances  attendant  upon  our  dear  Nugent's 
end  are  few  and  simple.  You  are  aware  what  a  long  series  of 
favourable  accounts  of  his  general  behaviour  we  have  had  from 
a  variety  of  quarters.  You  should  know,  that  from  at  least  five 
religious  friends  I  have  received  highly  satisfactory  testimonies 
of  his  religious  feelings  and  principles,  although  he  was  modest 
and  reserved  in  speaking  of  himself.  I  had  much  information 
while  I  was  visiting  his  most  intimate  friend,  Mr.  Bailey,  in  the 
Isle  of  Wight,  (late  of  Gibraltar,)  whose  little  baby  was  christ- 
ened Mercy  Nugent  Richmond.  The  time  of  his  shipwreck 
seemed  to  have  been  one  of  special  prayer  and  impression.  He 
lost  his  all.  He  however  recruited  in  some  degree  ;  and  was 
engaged  to  be  married  to  an  amiable  and  pious  young  lady. 
He  took  a  short  voyage,  and  on  his  return  found  that  she  had 
died  of  a  fever.  His  spirits  never  recovered  that  shock.  He 
was  afterwards  appointed  commander  of  a  vessel  to  England. 
The  day  before  she  sailed,  he  fell  out  of  a  gig,  was  confined  to 
bed,  and  lost  the  opportunity.    Twice  afterwards  he  was  simi- 


REV.  LEGH  RICHMOND. 


303 


larly  disappointed.  At  length  he  sailed  in  a  ship  bound  for  the 
Mauritius,  from  whence  he  intended  to  have  proceeded  to  Eng- 
land. 

*'  Previously  to  this  last  voyage  he  had  an  attack  of  fever,  and 
went  through  a  severe  course  of  medicine.  At  the  beginning 
of  the  voyage,  meeting  with  a  heavy  gale,  he  had  much  labo- 
rious service.  In  the  course  of  a  very  short  time  he  became  ill, 
was  not  unfrequently  delirious,  but  still  did  not  excite  ideas  of 
immediate  danger.  One  night,  he  went  to  bed  at  twelve  o'clock, 
and  the  next  morning  at  six,  to  the  grief  and  surprise  of  all  on 
board,  was  found  dead  in  his  cabin.  The  ship  proceeded  to  the 
Mauritius  ;  and  it  was  not  until  her  return  to  Calcutta,  that  our 
excellent  and  kind  iriend,  the  Rev.  Mr.  Thomason,  received 
the  news,  and  his  packages,  papers,  &c.  He  left,  out  of  the 
scanty  store  preserved  from  the  wreck  of  the  Oracabessa,  100 
rupees  to  general  charitable  purposes  ;  50  to  the  Bible  Society; 
50  to  the  Church  Missionary  Society  ;  50  to  the  Society  for 
promoting  Christian  Knowledge  ;  and  50  to  the  Religious 
Tract  Society.  A  rupee  is  about  2s.  6d.  His  affections  for 
his  relatives  were  very  strong.  His  principles  of  honourable 
conduct,  integrity,  pecuniary  accuracy,  official  diligence,  kind 
manners,  and  moral  deportment  were  exemplary.  He  lived  in 
much  esteem,  and  died  much  beloved.  Dear  boy  !  He  was 
snatched  from  our  embraces  at  the  hour  of  his  returning  to  them. 
He  is  buried  in  the  depths  of  the  ocean.  But  the  sea  shall  give- 
up  her  dead,  and  I  trust  he  will  then  appear  a  living  soul.'' 

We  suspend  for  a  moment  the  course  of  this  narrative  to  in- 
dulge in  a  few  brief  reflections.  We  have  now  seen  Mr.  Rich- 
mond exercised  by  severe  and  successive  afflictions,  commen- 
cing about  the  year  1814,  and  continuing,  with  only  occasional 
intervals,  to  the  close  of  life  itself.  The  coincidence  of  these 
trials  with  his  signal  usefulness,  is  worthy  of  observation.  Wc 
notice  this  fact,  because  it  seems  to  us  to  illustrate  the  dealings 
of  God's  providence  in  his  government  of  his  church  and  people. 
True  Christians  are  seldom  long  exempted  from  a  state  of  trial ; 
and  the  history  of  the  church  of  Christ  abounds  with  evidences 
in  confirmation  of  this  remark.  The  year  1814  was  the  com- 
mencement of  Mr.  Richmond's  great  popularity  and  £xtensive 
usefulness,  which  succeeding  years  rather  increased  than  di- 
minished. It  was  also  the  period  of  painful  domestic  anxiety, 
as  it  regarded  his  eldest  son,  Nugent,  and  the  dangerous  illness 
of  a  beloved  wife.  After  the  interval  of  a  few  years,  he  is  again 
exercised  by  the  intelligence  of  his  eldest  son's  supposed  loss 


304 


MEMOIRS  OF  THE 


and  shipwreck.  A  short  time  elapses,  when  his  second  son, 
Wilberforce,  a  boy  distinguished  by  early  grace  and  talents,  to 
whom  he  fondly  looked  with  the  most  anxious  expectation,  de- 
clines in  health,  and  sinks  into  the  grave.  Scarcely  had  a  few 
short  months  expired,  when  the  rumour  of  his  eldest  son's  death 
reaches  him,  a  rumour  soon  confirmed  by  the  event.  And  yet 
in  each  case  mercy  rejoices  over  judgment,  and  death  is  swal- 
lowed up  in  victory.  What  then  is  the  moral  lesson  conveyed 
by  these  dispensations  1  We  learn  that  trial  is  usually  allotted 
to  extensive  usefulness  ;  because,  such  is  the  infirmity  of  our 
nature,  that  success  is  not  good  for  man ;  and  therefore,  to  re- 
strain the  exuberances  of  pride,  and  of  self-complacency,  God 
in  his  wisdom  sees  fit  to  send  the  necessavy.corrective,  that  no 
flesh  may  glory  in  his  sight  :  that  the  instrument  may  be  kept 
lowly  and  humble,  and  its  graces  be  preserved  and  augmented. 
"  Every  branch  that  beareth  fruit  he  pur£;eih  it,  that  it  may  bring 
forth  more  fruit. — Jo/(?i  xv.  2.  He  further  designs  to  teach  us 
that  this  is  not  our  rest ;  and  that  in  proportion  as  we  are  weaned 
from  earthly  objects  of  endearm.ent,  and  are  able  to  concentrate 
all  our  affections  upon  him,  we  bear  the  impress  of  his  pure  and 
holy  image,  and  are  more  fitted  for  the  enjoyment  of  his  presence. 
Man  is  apt  to  estimate  events  by  their  reference  to  time  :  God 
governs  his  dispensations  by  their  reference  to  eternity. 

How  justly  may  we  apply  the  following  impressive  remarks 
of  Lord  Bacon  :  "  0  Lord,  my  strength,  I  have  since  my  youth 
met  with  thee  in  all  my  ways,  by  thy  fatherly  compassions,  by 
thy  comfortable  chastisements,  and  by  thy  most  visible  provi- 
dence. As  thy  favours  have  increased  upon  me,  so  have  thy 
corrections  ;  so  as  thou  hast  been  always  near  me,  0  Lord  ; 
and  ever  as  my  worldly  blessings  were  exalted,  so  secret  darts 
from  thee  have  pierced  me  ;  and  when  I  have  ascended  before 
men,  I  have  descended  in  humihation  before  thee.  And  now, 
when  I  thought  most  of  peace  and  honour,  thy  hand  is  heavy  upon 
me,  and  hath  humbled  me  according  to  thy  former  loving  kind- 
ness, keeping  me  still  in  thy  fatherly  school,  not  as  a  bastard, 
but  as  a  child.  Just  are  thy  judgments  upon  me  for  my  sins, 
which  are  more  in  number  than  the  sands  of  the  sea,  but  have 
no  proportion  to  thy  mercies  ;  fur  what  are  the  sands  of  the  sea, 
earth,  heavens  ;  and  all  these  are  nothing  to  thy  mercies.  Be 
merciful  unto  me,  0  Lord,  for  my  Saviour's  sake,  and  receive 
jne  into  thy  bosom,  or  guide  me  in  thy  ways."* 


*  See  Bacon's  Works,  Vol.  VII.  p.  4.  edited  by  Basil  Montague,  1S27. 


RF.V.  LEGH  RICHMOND. 


305 


We  now  resume  our  subject,  and  insert  a  letter  to  his  friend, 
the  Rev.  H.  I.  Maddock  * 

"  My  beloved  Friend  and  esteemed  Brother ; — Such  yoa 
shall  be  called,  for  such  you  are  and  long  have  been  to  me.  I 
am  told  how  ill  you  are,  and  that  you  are,  as  it  were,  vibrating 
between  two  worlds.  The  outward  man  is  fast  decaying,  but 
not  so  the  inner  man.  Glory  to  God  alone  for  the  past,  pre- 
sent, and  future.  You  know  in  whom  you  have  trusted.  He 
cannot,  will  not  forsake  you.  My  heart  yearns  over  many 
pleasant  recollections  concerning  you.  The  visions  of  the 
past  revive.  0  may  they  unite  with  those  beyond  the  grave, 
and  may  sovereign  grace  sanctify  them  both  !  We  have  spent 
many  a  happy  hour  together,  cheerful  and  grave — v.  e  have  la- 
boured together  in  public  and  in  private.  ^^  e  have,  I  think, 
loved  each  other  as  brothers  ;  and  when  httle,  perhaps,  was 
written  or  spoken,  we  have  had  mutual  thoughts  of  peace,  and 
regard  for  our  god-children,  our  wives,  and  our  little  ones. 

"  I  had  pleased  myself  with  the  thought  of  visiting  you  for  a 
week  at  Matlock,  next  month  ;  but  I  fear  we  may  never  meet 
again.    But  shall  we  not  meet  hereafter  1    Lord,  how  long  ! 

"  When  I  last  parted  from  you,  1  had  a  dear  boy  with  me — 
how  dear,  no  one  can  tell !  You  are  hastening  to  the  mansions 
where  he  dwells.  It  is  not  permitted  me  to  send  a  message,  or 
it  should  be  expressive  of  ten  thousand  emotions  of  a  father's 
heart.  But  Chi-ist  is  all  !  And  I  have  lost  my  eldest  bov — 
my  sailor  boy  !  But  God  has  found  him,  and  all  is  well  there 
also.  Forgive  my  ramblings.  Give  me  a  book,  some  httle 
book — one  that  contams  your  name,  written  in  it  with  your 
own  hand.  It  shall  be  a  cherished  memorial — pipms  amiciti(R 
jucundissirna. 

"  My  regard  for  you,  my  brother  has  not  been  of  a  common 
character.  I  fear  you  are  not  strong  enough  to  give  me  a  few 
lines  ;  but  perhaps  your  venerable  and  respected  father  will  do 
so.  I  this  day  saw  your  very  dear  friend  Mr.  Allen.  The 
sight  of  him  did  me  good,  although  he  told  me  how  ill  you 
were,  beyond  what  I  was  aware  of. 

"  And  now,  my  beloved  friend.  I  commend  you  to  the  triune 
Jehovah — Father,  Son,  and  Spirit — to  united  power,  wisdom^ 
« 

*  The  name  of  this  excellent  man  is  mentioned  in  the  journal  of  Mr.  Rieh* 
mond's  tour,  in  the  year  1814.    He  was  prematurely  snatched  from  a  life  of 
usefulness  and  zeal,  beloved  and  lanaented.    His  end  was  approaching  at  the 
time  the  above  letter  was  addressed  to  him.    Mr.  Richmond  did  not  long  sur- 
-  Tive  him. 


306 


MEMOIRS  OP  THE 


and  love ;  to  the  consolations  of  promise,  and  the  consumma- 
tions of  Omnipotence.  Faithful  is  he  that  hath  promised  ;  and 
he  will  perfect  the  thing  that  concerneth  you.  V\  hat  a  strong- 
hold is  this  !  While  you  can  and  may,  cherish  a  tender  and 
prayerful  feeling  for  your  friend.  Fanny  shares  in  all  these 
feelings  ;  she  can  never  speak  of  you  but  with  Christian  affec- 
tion. 

"  I  desire  to  be  most  kindly  remembered  to  all  that  belong  to 
you.  May  the  God,  whose  consolations  are  neither  few  nor 
small,  overshadow  you  with  his  wing  !  L.  R." 

The  next  letter  is  addressed  to  a  daughter,  then  at  school : — - 

"  Turvey,  December  5,  1825. 
^'  My  dear  Child. — I  am  much  pleased  with  your  letter,  the 
more  so  as  it  contains  some  expressions  which  cherish  the  hope, 
nearest  to  my  heart,  as  to  your  spiritual  thoughts  and  feelings. 
Whilst  I  cannot  but  feel  most  tenderly  affected  by  the  loss  of  my 
two  elder  sons,  endeared  to  me  by  a  thousand  recollections  and 
emotions,  I  become  the  more  anxious  for  the  welfare  of  all  my 
children,  whom  God  yet  spares  to  me.  F  have  for  a  year  and 
half  past,  and  especially  during  the  last  year,  undergone  a  great 
change  in  my  spirits,  and  my  whole  system  has  suffered  ;  but  in 
the  midst  of  all,  the  inexpressible  goodness  of  God  has  been 
manifested,  and  I  trust  that  my  trials  have  been  bless  ed  to  not  a 
few.  Many  a  rose  has  sprung  up  around  the  grave  of  dear 
Wilberforce,  and  they  still  blossom,  and  I  trust  will  do  so,  until 
they  shall  be  transferred  from  the  spiritual  garden  of  Turvey  to 
the  glorious  Paradise  of  God.  Our  young  friend   mani- 
fests, in  his  numerous  fetters,  a  most  decidedly  spiritual  mind. 
He  writes  upon  the  subjects  of  experimental  and  practical  reli- 
gion in  a  truly  delightful  and  satisfactory  manner.  And  can  I 
feel  otherwise  than  anxious  that  my  dear  Catharine  should  add  a 
flower  to  my  parochial  and  domestic  shrubbery  1  Are  you  to  ar- 
rive at  your  sixteenth  year  so  soon,  and  not  internally  as  well  as 
externally,  prove  that  the  grace  of  Christ  has  not  been  preached 
to  you  in  vain?  I  trust  not.  Religion  is  not  a  matter  of  mere 
ceremonials,  nor  even  morals,  but  the  spiritual  apphcation  of 
divine  truth  to  the  heart,  producing  those  devout  and  moral  prin- 
ciples of  action,  which  distinguish  the  true  Christian  from  all 
others.  But  where,  how,  and  when,  does  this  begin  1  Not 
until  you  have  deep,  humbling,  sincere,  and  anxious  thoughts 
about  sin,  and  yourself  as  a  sinner,  in  the  sight  of  God. — Not 
until  this  conviction,  by  a  kind  of  holy  violence,  compels  you  to 


REV.  LEGH  RICHMOND. 


807 


flee  to  Christ  as  the  only  refuge  from  the  wrath  to  come. — Not 
until  prayer  becomes  an  action  of  the  inmost  soul,  and  the  study 
of  God'S  word  a  real  dehght. — Not  until  every  other  considera- 
tion yields  to  that  infinitely  iinportant  inquiry,  '  What  must  1  do 
to  be  saved  V — Not  until  the  Hght,  trifling,  and  thoughtless 
mind  of  the  child  of  man  be  converted,  through  grace,  to  the 
serious,  conscientious,  and  believing  state  of  the  real  child  of 
God.  Now,  has  this  been,  and  is  this  the  case  with  you  ?  I 
speak  as  a  Christian,  a  father,  a  minister.  What  are  your  views 
of  these  all-important  subjects  ? — I  wish  my  child  to  be  deeply 
in  earnest.  Life  flies  apace — the  period  of  the  tomb  advances, 
I  have  four  children  there  already.  It  is  true  I  have  eight  still 
on  earth — but  how  long  will  there  be  eight  here  ?  Who  may  be 
the  next  to  enter  upon  eternity  ?  Think  upon  these  things  with 
devout  affection.  You  tremble  a  little  even  at  the  thought  of  a 
school  examination  ;  but  what  is  that,  compared  with  the  exami- 
nation of  an  immortal  soul  before  the  judgment  seat  of  God  ? 
Go,  then,  as  a  sinner  to  Christ ;  he  sends  none  empty  away.  In 
him,  and  him  alone,  there  is  a  rich  provision  for  every  coming 
sinner.  But  let  this  coming  be  a  surrender  of  all  you  are,  and 
all  you  have,  to  the  Lord  of  grace  and  glory.  Be  contented 
with  nothing  short  of  a  reality  in  religion. 

****** 

"  Your  affectionate  father, 

L.  Richmond. 

To  Miss  C.  Richmond.'" 

We  have  few  materials  of  public  interest  during  the  year 
1826.  Mr.  Richmond  declined  in  health,  and  was  indisposed 
for  much  exertion  beyond  the  confines  of  his  parish.  W^e  may, 
however,  fill  up  the  chasm  with  his  opinions  on  a  few  subjects 
connected  with  the  cause  of  true  religion,  but  which  we  could 
not  notice  at  an  earlier  period  without  interrupting  the  narrative, 
and  departing  from  the  order  we  had  prescribed  to  ourselves. 

We  advert  with  extreme  reluctance,  and  with  the  most  pain- 
ful recollections,  to  the  apocryphal  controversy,  which  unhappily 
for  a  long  time  divided  and  distracted  the  Christian  world.  Mr. 
Richmond,  with  many  other  conscientious  and  excellent  men, 
at  first  approved  the  judgment  of  the  committee  of  the  Bible 
Society,  in  allowing  the  circulation  of  the  foreign  editions  of 
the  Holy  Scriptures.  He  considered  the  fundamental  law  of 
the  society,  "  without  note  or  comment,"  to  include  the  authori- 
sed versions  of  the  Continent.  He  knew  that  the  apocryphal 
books,  though  attached  to  the  canonical  Scriptures,  had  fallen 


308 


MEMOIRS  OF  THE 


into  contempt  in  our  own  country  ;  and  he  was  disposed  to  be- 
lieve that  increased  light  and  information,  by  the  circulation  of 
the  word  of  God  in  any  form,  would  eventually  illumine  the 
darkness  of  men's  minds,  and  enable  them  to  distinguish  be- 
tween truth  and  error. 

We  abstain  from  entering  on  any  unnecessary  discussion  of 
this  question.  We  confine  our  remarks  to  recording  the  ulti- 
mate sentiments  of  the  subject  of  this  Memoir. 

In  the  progress  of  this  unhappy  dispute,  Mr.  Richmond  saw 
reason  to  change  his  opinion ;  and  though  the  meekness  and 
humility  of  his  spirit  would  not  allow  him  to  become  a  violent 
partisan,  he  joined  in  the  remonstrances  which  were  made  to  the 
parent  committee,  by  the  greater  part  of  their  auxiliary  societies. 
On  this  account  he  has  been  accused  of  vacillation  ;  but  in  our 
judgment,  the  manliness  which  avows  an  error,  is  much  more 
commendable  than  the  pertinacity  which  defends  and  persists 
in  it. 

We  are  far  from  designing  to  censure  our  brethren  on  either 
side,  or  of  either  country,  much  less  to  connect  the  memory  of 
our  friend  with  a  controversy  which  has  no  parallel  in  the  history 
of  modern  polemics.  He  deeply  lamented  the  separation  of  the 
two  great  Christian  communities  :  "  the  most  calamitous  event," 
he  used  to  say,  "  which  has  befallen  the  church  of  God  for  the 
last  century  ;  and  I  fear  that  feelings  have  been  excited  be- 
tween the  nations,  which  it  will  take  more  than  a  century  to 
allay."  Let  us  indulge  a  hope,  that  in  this  sad  foreboding  he 
was  mistaken.  There  is  an  Almighty  power  which  can  restrain 
the  wrath  of  man  ;  and  we  hope  the  readers  of  this  Memoir  will 
pardon  our  earnest  entreaty,  that,  considering  this  question  to  be 
now  set  at  rest,  by  the  pledge  so  formally  given  for  the  future 
exclusion  of  the  Apocrypha,  they  would  henceforth  implore  the 
Father  of  mercies  to  infuse  the  dove-like  spirit  of  peace  and 
love  into  the  minds  of  men  ;  that  they  may  put  far  away  '*  all 
bitterness,  and  wrath,  and  anger,  and  evil  speaking,  with  all 
malice  ;  and  speak  the  truth  in  love  ;  being  kind  one  to  another, 
in  honour  preferring  each  other,  esteeming  others  better  than 
themselves,  being  pitiful,  kind,  and  tender-hearted  ;  forgiving 
one  another,  even  as  God,  for  Christ's  sake,  has  forgiven  them." 

The  Society  for  promoting  Christianity  among  the  Jews  fur- 
nishes another  subject  for  remark.  A  discussion  had  arisen  in 
some  of  the  periodicals,  as  to  the  most  efficient  mode  of  preach- 
ing to  the  Jews  ;  whether  the  doctrine  of  the  second  coming  of 
Messiah  in  his  kingdom  and  glory,  ought  not  to  constitute  the 


REV.  LEGH  RICHMOND. 


309 


most  prominent  feature  in  the  discourses  addressed  to  that 
people. 

In  conversing  with  Mr.  Richmond  on  this  topic,  the  writer 
one  day  submitted  to  him  the  following  question  : — 

"What  is  the  scriptural  and  right  way  to  preach  to  the  Jew?" 

"  I  know  of  no  scriptural  way,"  he  replied,  "  of  preaching  to 
men,  otherwise  than  as  sinners  ;  and  why  the  Jews,  whose  sins 
are  of  so  aggravated  a  nature,  should  be  dealt  with  in  a  different 
way,  I  do  not  see.  I  would  address  the  .Tew  as  I  would  any 
other  man  ; — that  is,  as  a  sinner ;  and  till  he  is  convinced  of  his 
sin,  he  will  never  believe  in  a  Saviour.  '  Christ  crucified,'  is 
declar  d  to  be  '  to  the  Greeks  foolishness,  and  to  the  Jews  a 
stumbling-block  ;  but  to  them  that  believe,  the  power  of  God 
and  the  wisdom  of  God.'  No  man  will  ever  feel  the  power  of 
God,  whether  he  be  Jew  or  Gentile,  till  he  learns  it  at  the  foot 
of  the  cross." 

When  speaking  of  the  strong  prejudices  that  existed  among 
many  in  our  own  church  against  several  of  the  public  institu- 
tions, as  contrasted  with  the  expression  of  popular  feeling  in 
their  support,  he  observed — I  am  fully  convinced  that  nothing 
is  more  likely  to  weaken  the  attachment  of  serious  and  reflecting 
minds  to  the  Church  of  England,  than  this  standing  aloof  from 
public  feeling,  as  if  we  had  some  distinct  interest  of  our  own, 
and  were  insulated  from  that  of  the  great  mass  of  the  commu- 
nity." He  added,  that,  "  in  a  period  peculiarly  marked  by 
enlarged  ideas,  and  extended  efforts  for  the  cause  of  God,  not 
to  participate  in  these  views,  nor  to  grow  with  the  growth  of  the 
times  in  which  we  live,  renders  us  liable  to  the  charge  of  being 
unfit  for  the  age  to  which  we  belong,  as  if  we  were  men  '  born 
out  of  due  time.'  Some  persons,"  he  said,  "  think  they  are 
building  up  the  church  by  encouraging  a  spirit  of  hostility  to 
these  great  causes  ;  my  own  opinion  is,  that  they  are  o\erturn- 
ing  it ;  and  that  no  position  can  be  more  dangerous  to  a  church, 
than  that  which  exhibits  it  in  avowed  opposition  to  the  prevailing 
character  and  sentiments  of  the  community  in  which  it  is 
placed." 

Alluding  to  some  modern  religious  controversies,  I  asked,  "  if 
he  did  not  think  that  many  readers  became  thereby  more  con- 
firmed in  their  prejudices  ?" 

"  All  are  so,"  he  replied,  "  ivho  read  only  one  side  of  the 
question,  which  is  generally  the  case  with  the  majority  of  readers, 
and  especially  of  prejudiced  readers.    They  say  to  each  other, 

*  have  you  read  the  book  of   ?    It  is  a  most  able  and 

triumphant  work.'    In  the  meantime,  they  never  read  what  is 

27 


310 


MEMOIRS  OP  THE 


said  in  reply  to  it ;  they  consequently  view  the  subject  through 
a  partial  and  distorted  medium.  But  what  should  we  say  of  a 
judge  who  examined  no  witnesses  except  those  who  were  on  the 
same  side  ]  We  should  have  no  hesitation  in  declaring  that  he 
perverted  the  administration  of  justice,  and  was  unfit  for  his 
office  ;  and  yet  precisely  the  same  thini  is  practised  every  day 
in  theological  controversies.  The  great  bane  of  our  church,'^ 
he  observed,  "  is  prejudice  :  many  believe  without  evidence,  and 
decide  without  inquiry.  Still,  the  spirit  of  improvement  is  per- 
ceptible, and  religion  considerably  on  the  increase." 

I  asked  him,  "how  we  were  to  reconcile  the  increase  of  re- 
ligion with  the  acknowledged  growth  of  crime,  as  evinced  in  our 
courts  of  justice  ?"  He  answered — "  Both  are  true.  Bad  men 
are  becoming  worse,  and  good  men  better.  The  first  are  ripening 
for  j  udgment,  the  latter  for  glory.  The  increase  of  wickedness 
is,  in  this  respect,  a  proof  of  the  increase  of  religion.  '  The 
devil  is  wroth,  knowing  that  his  time  is  short.'  " 

The  reader  will  here  probably  wish  to  know  what  were  his 
views  of  the  Millennium  ;  and  how  far  he  concurred  in  some 
modern  interpretations  of  prophecy.  On  this  subject  he  had 
not  come  to  any  decided  conclusion  :  he  was  merely  accustomed 
to  observe,  that  in  the  first  four  centuries,  such  a  belief  was 
/known  to  have  prevailed.  He  was  s^enerally  of  opinion,  that 
I  the  time  of  great  judgments  was  at  hand  ;  and  that  all  human 
institutions,  both  governments  and  churches,  would  have  to  un- 
dergo some  great  purifying  process  ; — that  what  was  wrong  in 
either  must  be  rectified  ;  that  much,  probably,  would  be  ac- 
complished in  the  way  of  improvement,  by  the  advancing  spirit 
of  the  age  ;  and  that  when  this  spirit  was  resisted,  a  series  of 
divine  judgments  (or  God's  controversy  with  the  nations,) 
would  level  all  abuses  in  the  dust ;  when  a  new  and  better  order 
of  things  would  arise,  and  Christianity  become  a  dispensation  of 
universal  hoUness  and  peace. 

Some  other  remarks  deserve  to  be  recorded. 

"What  is  the  mode  of  proceeding,"  I  said  to  him,  "which 
is  most  likely  to  promote  the  best  interests  of  our  own  church  ]" 

"  That,"  he  replied,  "  which  is  least  calculated  to  make 
Dissenters." 

"  And  what  will  best  answer  that  description?" 

"  Preaching  the  Gospel." 

Speaking  on  the  subject  of  Sermons,  "  some  preachers,"  he 
observed,  "  are  defective  in  one  most  essential  part  of  a  dis- 
course. They  insist  with  much  earnestness,  on  the  neces- 
sity of  holiness,  of  abstaining  from  sin,  of  loving  God,  and 


REV.  LEGH  RICHMOND. 


311 


keeping  his  commandments;  but  they  never  tell  their  people 
hoio  all  this  is  to  be  done.  They  leave  out  the  character- 
istic feature  of  the  Gospel,  viz.  the  great  end  tor  which  the  . 
Saviour  came  into  the  world,  which  was  to  raise  man  as  a 
fallen  creature  ;  to  bring  him  into  a  state  of  peace  and  fel- 
lowship with  God ;  and  to  impart  to  him  new  powers  and 
faculties  fur  his  service.  1  he  doctrine  of  the  atonement,  and 
the  operations  of  the  Holy  Spirit,  are  not  clearly  and  promi- 
nently stated.  i  hey  do  not  unfold  the  grand  scheme  or  re- 
demption in  its  sufficiency  and  fullness  ;  its  length,  and  breadth, 
and  height,  and  depth.  VVhat  is  the  consequence  ^  1  he  peo- 
ple derive  no  benefit  trom  this  kmd  of  preacbinji  ;  and  then  mi- 
nisters wonder  that  their  parishes  are  entered  l  y  Methodists 
and  Dissenters  !"  "  how  are  they  to  be  led  "  1  asked>  'to  see 
their  error  ?"  "  They  should  siispect,^^  he  replied  '  that  all  is 
not  right,  when  they  thus  see  their  flock  deserting  them  ;  and 
that  a  doctrine  cannot  be  sound,  which  empties  the  (  hurch  and 
fills  the  Meeting  House.  A  minister  under  these  circumstan- 
ces, if  he  be  sincere  and  truly  conscientious,  will  pray  to  God 
with  holy  fervency  to  lead  him  to  correct  and  just  viev\  s  of  divine 
truth,  and  to  open  his  mind  and  heart  to  receive  them.  And 
no  one,"  he  continued,  can  be  often  on  h  s  bended  knees,  im- 
ploring the  wisdom  from  above,  without  being  taught  of  God  ; 
for  he  has  distinctly  promised  to  '  give  hi»  Holy  Spirit,  to  them 
that  ask  him.'  " 

In  the  summer  of  1826,  Mr.  Richmond  attended  the  Nor- 
wich anniversaries  ;  which  were  the  last  of  his  public  labours ; 
and  to  which  a  brief  allusion  is  made  in  the  following  letter  to 
his  son. 

"  My  ever  dear  H  , — The  Jews'  meeting  was  the  largest 

and  most  interesting  of  all  the  three ;  and  the  accession  ot  re- 
gard and  approbation  from  a  great  many  who  had  hitherto  been 
less  favourably  disposed,  was  a  gratifying  event.  I  had  on  Sa- 
turday a  most  affecting  sight  of  near  eight  hundred  girls,  and 
one  hundred  ladies  to  address.  It  crowned  the  whole.  Yester- 
day I  preached  at  Welbourn  and  Yaxhara.  'I  o-day  we  all  dine 
at  .Mr.  T.'s,  to  meet  Miss  C.  G.,  and  thus  will  end  the  delight- 
ful fellowship  from  and  at  E  m,  for  such  indeed  it  has  been  to 

ns  all.    Amongst  the  numerous  parties  which  I  have  met  with, 
on  such  occasions,  never  have  I  witnessed  such  a  scene  !" 

As  the  son,  to  whom  the  above  letter  is  addressed,  was  shortly 
about  to  enter  at  the  I  niversity,  with  a  view  to  the  ministry,  we 
ayail  ourselves  of  this  mention  of  his  name,  to  exhibit  the 


512  MEMOIRS  OF  THE  ^ 

paternal  solicitude  of  Mr.  Richiiiond,  with  reference  to  that 
occasion. 

"  My  very  dear  Son, — The  time  for  your  destination  is  not 
far  off,  and  the  word  of  counsel  becomes  the  more  appropriate 
and  needful.  I  rom  the  day  wherein  you  first  communic  ated  to 
me  your  thoughts  and  wishes  about  entering  into  the  sacred  mi- 
nistry, my  eye,  my  heart,  my  head,  my  conscience,  my  tenderest 
affections  have  been  steadily  fixed  upon  you,  and  your  future 
prospects.  I  ntii  that  period,  and  while  your  dear  brother's 
health  permitted  the  hope  of  his  becoming  a  minister,  1  had 
other  thoughts  and  plans  for  you.  Indeed  I  was  not,  until  then, 
aware  that  your  mind  had  received  that  impression,  which  now 
forms  my  most  anxious  hope  and  desire  concerning  you.  For 
while  1  never  would  or  could  give  encouragement  to  prospects 
of  the  ministry,  unless  I  tliought  I  discovered  decided  leadings 
and  leanings  of  mind  towards  it,  so  I  can  truly  say  that  my  first 
wish  for  each  of  my  sons  in  succession  has  been,  fr<  m  their  cra- 
dles, that  God  might  fit  them  for  that  arduous,  responsible,  and 
eminent  station,  a  minister  of  the  Gospel  of  Christ,  in  deed  and  in 
truth.  The  coincidence  of  your  making  your  wish  known  to 
me  at  the  very  peri(»d  when  the  lamp  of  life  and  hope  began  to 
fade,  as  it  cone  erned  your  brother,  and  his  subsequent  decease, 
struck  me  as  indicative  of  God's  will  respecting  you.  From 
that  time  I  have  encouraged  the  prospect,  and  neglected  nothing 
intentionally  which  might  further  your  education  for  that  sacred 
office  ;  ever  at  the  same  time  watching  attentively  your  general 
disposition  towards  Christian  experience,  knowledge,  and  con« 
duct.  For  a  man  must  first  be  a  true  Christian  before  he  can 
be  a  true  minister.  It  was  with  this  view  that  I  requested  Mr. 
A.  to  give  you  a  weekly  religious  exercise.  From  the  day  that 
a  youth,  on  Christian  principles,  is  devoted  to  the  ministry,  he 
ought  to  become  a  (livinity  student,  and  all  his  studies  should 
bend  to  the  one  grand  object.  However  valuable  in  their  proper 
place  and  connexion,  yet  independently  of  that  connexion,  clas- 
sical, mathematical,  philosophical,  moral,  logical,  and  belles 
lettres,  and  literature,  all  sink  to  nothing,  and  only  wean  the 
mind  from  God  and  Christ.  When  the  heart  is  right  in  divine 
matters,  then  all  other  things  will  become  so  likewise.  The 
next  thing  to  be  considered  in  your  case,  was  the  usual  connex- 
ion between  the  clerical  office  and  a  university  residence  and 
degree.  This  has  presented  a  twofold  difficulty  to  my  conside- 
ration. The  first  is  the  doubt  and  fear,  lest  the  atmosphere  of 
a  college  life,  so  unpropitious,  alike  in  its  gay  arid  its  literary 


REV.  LEGH  RICHMOND. 


313 


habits,  to  the  formation  and  growth  of  Christian  piety,  might 
endanger  the  simplicity  and  stability  of  your  Christian  character. 
This  is,  however,  in  a  measure  overruled  by  the  hope  connected 
with  the  influence  of  good  Mr.  S  's  ministry,  and  the  num- 
ber of  serious  young  men,  from  amongst  whom,  and  amongst 
whom  alone,  I  trust,  a  few  confidential  and  protitable  intimates 
would  be  chosen.  Nothing  would  induce  me  to  send  you  to 
college,  if  I  did  not  rely  on  your  maintaining,  both  outwardly 
and  inwardlv,  a  decidedly  Christian  walk  and  profession,  regard- 
less alike  of  the  sneers  of  the  scoffer,  and  the  dissipated  influ- 
ence of  undecided  (however  agreeable)  compani  ns.  It  should 
be  observed,  that  my  name  stands  in  a  peculiar  and  somewhat  con- 
spicuous point  of  view  ;  and  my  son's  name  would  be  in  several 
ways  connected  with  the  publicity  of  his  father's  character.  On 
these  subjects  I  should  endeavour  to  give  you  hereafter  more 
detailed  advice,  if  you  were  to  become  a  collegian.  In  that 
case  I  must  commit  you  to  the  grace  of  God,  and  pray  for  you 
night  and  day  to  be  preserved  blameless  and  pure.  The  second 
difficulty  connected  with  a  college  education  has  been  its  ex- 
pense. 

*  *  *  *  *  * 

^'  Remember  that  your  religious  attainments  are  my  first 
object,  your  literary  my  second.  May  both  go  safely  hand  in 
hand  together. 

*  *  *  i!f  *  * 

"  And  now,  take  my  blessing.  You  are  three  sons  in  one 
to  me.  Accept  a  triple  blessing,  and  may  the  great  Three  in 
One  confirm  it.  Your  welfare  lies  very  close  to  my  heart — your 
prospects  in  the  ministry,  if  your  hfe  be  spared,  affect  me  greatly. 
I  would  far  sooner  hear  you  preach  a  gospel  sermon  from  your 
heart,  and  visit  the  bed-side  of  a  sick  parishioner,  with  the  lan- 
guage of  experimental  consolation,  than  see  you  senior  wrangler 
and  medallist,  with  a  cold  heart  and  unconverted  soul.  Think 
not  that  I  undervalue  useful  or  ornamental  literature  ;  for  al- 
hou^h  I  regret  the  monopoly  of  time  and  labour,  which  an  ar- 
ificial  and  very  partial  sort  of  literary  acquirements  occasion,  in 
)ur  collegiate  courses  ;  and  while  I  still  more  regret  the  neglect 
Df  a  theological  and  religious  education,  as  so  prominent  a  blot 
n  our  university  plans  ;  yet  I  wish  every  clergyman  to  be  a 
vell-informed  man,  having  a  mind  stored  with  useful  literature, 
svery  particle  of  which  should  be  consecrated  to  the  study  of  the 
3ible  and  the  souls  of  men.  It  is  a  great  comfort  that  noiwith- 
tanding  the  paralyzing  influence  of  sensuality  and  idleness  on 
he  one  hand,  and  of  mere  human  learning  and  books  on  the 

27* 


314 


MEMOIRS  OF  THE 


other,  God  has  a  chosen  people  in  the  university,  who  are  walk- 
ing in  the  narrow  way  that  leads  to  eternal  life.  If  you  should 
go  to  college  may  you  ever  be  found  with  such,  and  not  with 
those  who  bring  their  fathers'  gray  hairs  with  sorrow  to  the  grave ; 
for  such  would  sooii  be  my  lot,  if  you,  my  loved  son,  were  to  fall 
away  from  the  earnest  hopes  which  I  have  formed  concerning 
you.  Be  much  in  prayer — constantly  study  your  Bible.  Read 
daily  some  experimental  and  devotional  books.  Converse  oc- 
casionally on  the  care  and  conduct  of  the  soul.  Remember  the 
poor  Christians,  and  when  you  can,  visit  and  converse  with 
them,  as  C.  does.  This  is  the  true  school  of  divinity.  It  was 
mine  before  you  ;  may  it  be  yours  after  me." 

After  the  Norwich  Anniversaries,  Mr.  Richmond  proceeded 
to  Cromer,  a  bathing  place  in  Norfolk,  for  the  benefit  of  his 
health.  He  had  for  some  time  laboured  under  an  affection  of 
the  lungs,  which  no  change  of  air  or  power  of  medicine  had 
hitherto  succeeded  in  removmg  ;  though  he  experienced  a  tem- 
porary revival  of  strength  and  spirits  by  his  excursion,  and  re- 
turned home  with  improved  health. 

But  the  scenes  of  his  former  afflictions  renewed  the  depres- 
sion of  his  spirits.  Amidst  the  affectionate  welcomes  of  his 
family,  he  seemed  to  feel  yet  more  keenly  the  absence  of  his 
departed  son.  He  would  say,  "  No  time  nor  succession  of 
events  can  wean  my  affections  from  the  chancel  vault."  Though 
increased  tenderness  marked  his  intercourse  with  his  remaining 
children,  his  heart  still  wept  over  his  beloved  VVilberforce. 
There  was  a  visible  change  in  his  appearance,  and  his  family 
felt  cause  for  alarm.  He  said  little,  but  his  mind  seemed  to  be 
greatly  exercised.  He  sometimes  repaired  to  the  grave  of  his 
son  ;  remaining  long,  absorbed  in  his  own  reflections.  The 
silence  and  solitude  of  this  hallowed  spot  soothed  and  comforted 
his  mind  :  "  the  waters  of  healing  issued  from  the  sanctuary," 
and  he  probably  delighted  to  contemplate  the  blessedness  of  the 
eternal  world,  m  such  immediate  connexion  with  his  own  dear 
child.  On  one  occasion,  accompanied  by  his  daughter,  he  sat 
nearly  an  hour  in  deep  musing,  without  lifting  his  eyes  from  the 
stone  that  covered  the  beloved  remains.  At  length  rising,  he 
exclaimed — "  Thanks  be  to  God,  which  giveth  us  the  victory, 
through  our  Lord  Jesus  Christ !" 

The  writer  of  this  Memoir  was  requested  by  his  family  to 
converse  with  him  on  the  subject  of  his  sorrows.  After  a  few 
expressions  of  cordial  sympathy,  *'  My  dear  friend,"  I  said, 
^'  you  are  indulging  a  grief  beyond  its  proper  bounds,  and  con- 

i 


REV.  LEGH  RICHMOND. 


315 


suming  all  your  strength  ;  you  will  unfit  yourself  both  for  present 
and  future  ust^fulness.  You  are  in  danger  of  forgetting  the  liv- 
ing, by  a  mournful  recollection  of  the  dead.  God  acts  as  a 
sovereign,  he  claims  nothing  but  vhat  is  his  own.  Yon  are  still 
surrounded  by  many  mercies.  The  past  dispensation  has  been 
peculiarly  blest  to  your  own  family.  You  have  another  son, 
who  will  occupy,  both  in  your  heart  and  in  the  church  of  God, 
the  place  that  is  now  made  void.  Your  parisli  loves  you  ;  the 
cause  of  God  prospers  beyond  former  precedent  ;  you  have 
gained  more  than  you  have  lost,  and  your  child  is  in  glory, — 
would  you  wish  to  call  him  back  r.gain 

"  All  is  well,"  he  repHed,  "  as  it  relates  to  these  things ;  but 
there  are  times  when  we  are  led  deeply  to  consider,  not  merely 
the  trial  itself  under  which  we  labour,  but  how  far  it  has  answered 
its  appointed  end.  ^  hether  it  is  sanctified  to  our  own  souls  ; — 
what  is  the  reality  of  our  own  hope  ; — the  foundation  on  which 
we  ourselves  stand  ; — the  evidences  of  a  renewed  mind  ; — and 
whether  we  can  appeal  to  the  great  Searcher  of  hearts,  that  all 
is  right  within." 

"  But  you  have  this  hope,"  I  said  ;  "  why  then  does  it  not 
support  you  with  its  consolations  ]" 

"  God,"  he  answered,  "  is  sifting  me  ;  he  is  weighing  me  in 
the  balance  of  the  sanctuary.  I  have  been  preaching  all  my 
life  to  others — how  far  am  I  myself  interested  in  these  great 
truths  ]  Yes,  God  is  searching  me,  and  proving  me,  and  seeing 
if  there  be  any  wicked  way  in  me." 

He  will  do  more,"  I  said,  "  than  this, — he  will  lead  you  in 
the  way  everlasting." 

"  God  grant  it,"  he  replied  ;  "  God  grant  I  may  have  as  as- 
sured a  hope  for  myself,  as  I  have  for  my  beloved  child." 

The  tears  flowed  down  his  cheeks  during  these  few  remarks, 
and  his  whole  manner  evinced  the  inward  conflict  and  agitation 
of  his  mind. 

The  following  interesting  meditation,  which  was  written  in 
the  privacy  of  his  study,  to  which  he  was  confined  by  indispo- 
sition, will  further  disclose  the  state  of  his  feehngs  : — 

"  I  am  this  day  staying  at  home,  durinsr  divine  service  in  the 
afternoon,  owing  to  a  cold, — Mr.  Avre  beins;  here  to  assist  me. 
The  last  Sunday  afternoon  on  which  I  was  similarly  detained, 
was  in  December,  1824,  with  my  dear  AVilberforce  ;  he  was  then 
within  a  few  weeks  of  his  decease.  This  day  twelvemonth  was 
the  day  preceding  his  death. 

"  Dear,  blessed  boy  !   in  the  midst  of  our  daily  domestic 


316 


MEMOIRS  OF  THE 


cheerfulness  of  spirits,  how  my  heart  moans  and  mourns  in  ten- 
derest  recollections  !  I  see  the  dear  child  in  all  his  debilities  of 
body  ;  I  hear  him  speak, — I  retrace  the  look  of  his  eye, — I  hang 
upon  his  spiritual  language — his  affectionate  expressions, — his 
devotedness  to  God, — his  faithful  admonitions, — his  languid 
franje, — his  sweet  countenance, — his  willingness  to  die. 

"  I  lament  my  own  want  of  more  feeling  :  and  yet  I  feel  much. 
O  blessed  God  !  help  me  ; — strengthen  me  ; — save  me  !  Make 
his  death  to  be  a  source  of  life  to  me,  through  the  death  of 
Christ, — sanctifying  his  memory  to  my  soul  !  I  want  to  see 
more  deep  and  solemn  seriousness  amongst  my  children  at  this 
time  ;  and  yet  I  know  they  are  not  deficient  in  much  good  feel- 
ing on  this  subject.    Lordy  help,  bless,  and  save  them  also  ! 

"  My  iVugent,  too,  is  since  gone — or  rather,  I  have  since 
heard  it ;  for  he  died  some  months  before  his  brother,  little  as  we 
apprehended  it,  when  Wilberforce  was  so  beautifully  speaking 
about  him,  a  few  days  previous  to  his  own  death. 

"  Oh,  my  dear  boys  !  your  memorials  are  most  dear  to  my 
soul ! 

"  I  tremble  when  I  think  how  poorly  I  have  profited  by  these 
parental  warnings  ;  yet  1  take  some  encouragement  from  the 
feelings  which  I  am  conscious  I  retain.  Lord,  increase  their 
influence  !  In  the  midst  of  life  I  am  in  death.  Who  may  be 
taken  away  next  1  I  sometimes  have  fearful  forebodings — 1  look 
around  my  beloved  little  circle,  and  sigh.  I  check  these  feel- 
ings, again,  and  am  ashamed  of  my  weakness.  Lord !  make 
Christ  to  be  every  thing  to  me — and  then  all  will,  all  must  be 
well.  Oh !  keep  my  Fanny  in  a  serious  frame.  Let  her  not 
forget  her  past  impressions !  Bless  my  Henry,  and  preserve 
him  in  a  steady  mind,  untainted  by  levities  !  Cherish  my  poor 
Legh,  and  let  not  my  good  hopes  concerning  him  be  blighted ! 
Bless  the  little  ones,  and  make  them  thine  own  for  ever ! 

"  Pardon  my  weakness,  0  God  !  and  bless  this  whole  medita- 
tion to  my  own  soul ! 

"  L.  R. 

"  Tarvey,  Sundaxj,  Jan.  loth,  1827." 


CHAPTER  XVL 
Closing  Scene — Funeral — Remarks  on  his  character,  ^c. 

We  are  now  drawing  to  the  close  of  the  life  and  ministry  of 
this  excellent  man,  whose  labours  were  singularly  attended  with 
the  blessing  of  God  to  the  end.    The  last  two  Sundays  on  which 


REV.  LEGH  RICHMOND. 


317 


lie  preached  were  in  the  beginning  of  March,  1827.  On  the 
former  of  these  occasions,  a  person  attended  the  church,  who, 
having  taken  some  offence,  had  secretly  made  a  rash  resolve 
never  to  enter  it.  He  was  both  thoughtless  and  dissolute,  and  a 
bitter  persecutor  of  rehgion  in  tho-  e  who  professed  it  ;  but  on 
this  day  was  cc)nstramed,  by  circumstances  that  need  not  be 
mentioned,  to  alter  his  determination.  The  text  of  the  sermon 
was  taken  from  Psalm  li.  10,  Create  in  me  a  clean  heart,  O 
God,  and  renew  a  right  spirit  within  me."  Sharper  than  a  two- 
edged  swcrd  is  the  word  of  God  ;  and  in  its  appli  ation  by  the 
power  of  the  Spirit  to  this  poor  man,  it  proved  ''to  be  the  ham- 
mer that  breaketh  the  rock  in  pieces."  He  confessed  that  im- 
mediately on  his  retiirr)  home,  he  fell  for  the  first  time  on  his 
knees,  and  with  crymir  and  tears  poured  forth  the  strong  emotion 
of  his  heart  in  the  language  of  the  publican,  "  God  be  merciful 
to  me  a  sinner." 

Should  this  record  meet  the  eye  or  the  ear  of  the  individual 
so  deeply  interested  in  it,  we  would  remind  him  of  that  hour  of 
divine  mercy,  and  of  the  day  when  he  bore  to  the  grave  the 
body  of  him  whose  dying  lips  had  conveyed  the  message  of 
life  to  his  soul.  We  would  remind  him  of  his  bitter  anguish, 
when  he  descended  the  vault,  and  knelt,  weeping,  beside  the 
coffin.  We  would  exhort  him  to  cleave  with  full  purpose  of 
heart  to  the  Lord,  and  to  continue  faithful  unto  death  ;  that  in 
the  day  of  (Christ's  appearing,  may  he  be  found  among  those  who 
will  be  the  crown  and  joy  of  him  whose  loss  he  now  deplores. 

The  next  Sunday  Mr.  Richmond's  sermons  were  particularly 
solemn.  In  the  morning  he  preached  from  Col.  iii.  2  ;  "  Set 
your  affections  on  things  above."  And  this  address  was  directed 
to  the  true  disciple  for  his  comfort  and  confirmation.  In  the 
afternoon  he  preached  from  Psalm  cxix.  52,  53.  "  I  remem- 
bered thy  judgments  of  old,  O  Lo^-d,  and  have  comforted  myself. 
Horror  hath  taken  hold  upon  me,  because  of  the  wicked  that 
forsake  thy  law."  This  sermon  was  an  awful  and  solemn  ap- 
peal to  the  consciences  of  unawakened  sinners.  It  was  re- 
marked by  a  person  going  out  of  church  ;  "  this  sounds  as  if  it 
came  from  the  lips  of  a  dying  man." 

From  this  time  the  disorder  visibly  increased  :  Mr.  Richmond 
caught  a  fresh  cold,  and  could  only  speak  in  a  whisper.  It  was 
nevertheless,  with  some  difficulty  that  he  was  restrained  from 
being  carried  to  the  church  ;  but  he  never  more  left  his  house, 
and  soon  became  sensible  that  his  beloved  flock  would  "  see  his 
face  no  more."    A  gloom  of  sorrow  overspread  the  parish,  and 

prayer  was  made  without  ceasing  of  the  church  unto  God,"  for 


318 


MEMOIRS  OF  THE 


his  recovery.  But  the  time  was  come  when  he  was  to  enter  into 
his  rest.  Fev^  of  his  brethren  had  the  privilege  of  conversing 
with  him  at  this  time,  and  the  editor  being  abroad,  on*account  of 
his  own  heahh,  had  no  opportunity  of  any  personal  interview, 
during  the  season  of  his  final  illness.  The  last  interview  which 
he  enjoyed  with  his  esteemed  friend,  was  in  the  preceding  au- 
tumn. Little  did  he  think,  at  that  time,  that  they  parted  to  meet 
no  more  !  The  ibllowing  letters  supply  the  most  ample  and  in- 
teresting details  on  the  closing  scene  of  life. 

"  My  dear  Friend, — I  unite  w.th  you  and  the  neighbourhood, 
in  deeply  lamenting  the  decease  of  our  tiiiich-valued  friend,  the 
late  Mr.  Richmond.  F  very  day  and  occasion  will  remind  us  of 
our  loss.  He  was  indeed  a  bond  of  union  in  all  our  meetings, 
both  public  and  private  ;  we  bowed  to  his  authority,  for  he  had 
an  excellent  judgment,  and  his  fine  temper  never  failed  to  dif- 
fuse a  kind  and  brotherly  feelino;  amongst  us.  It  was  the  spon- 
taneous remark  of  every  one  who  had  any  acquaintance  with 
him,  *  You  have  only  to  know  Legh  Richmond  to  love  him.' 

"  My  interview  with  him  a  few  days  before  his  death,  con- 
cerniiig  which  you  desired  to  be  informed,  was  highly  interest- 
ing, though  1  have  but  few  particulars  to  communicate. 

"  Mr.  Richmond  had  been  declining  in  health  for  the  last  two 
years.  A  visible  alteration  took  place  in  him  alter  the  death  of 
his  son  Wilberforce.  The  intensity  of  his  feelings  was  at  all 
times  disproportionate  to  his  strength  ;  and  some  things,  espe- 
cially his  dear  boy's  removal,  seemed  to  lay  hold  of  him  with  a 
degree  of  poignancy  which  he  himself,  in  common  with  his 
friends,  greatly  regretted.  He  felt,  and  expressed  resignation 
and  thankfulness  in  the  event  ;  yet  it  was  evident  to  us  all  that 
his  frame  had  received  an  irreparable  injury. 

"  His  brethren  saw  little  of  him  during  the  last  few  months  of 
his  life.  He  continued  the  regular  performance  of  the  duties  of 
his  parish  till  within  a  few  weeks  of  his  death,  and  we  did  not  ap- 
prehend that  he  was  so  soon  to  be  taken  trom  us. 

"  In  his  confinement,  he  shrunk  from  all  intercourse  beyond 
the  circle  of  his  own  family. 

"  After  making  repeated  inquiries  about  his  state  of  health, 
and  receiving  very  unsatisfactory  answers,  I  consulted  his  medi- 
cal attendant,  whose  report  determined  me  to  lose  no  time  in 
seeking  an  interview.  Of  his  spiritual  state  there  could  be  no 
doubt ;  but  I  thought  if,  like  his  family,  he  felt  persuaded  of  his 
recovery,  it  might  be  important  on  many  accounts  that  he  should 
be  apprized  of  his  approaching  end. 


REV.  LEGH  EICHMOJO). 


319 


^'  I  wished,  among  other  things,  to  induce  him  to  use  his  in- 
fluence with  the  patron  of  the  Hving  in  the  appointment  of  a 
suitable  successor.  We  had  a  conversation  of  some  length  on 
this  subject,  and  which  I  regret: ed  when  1  perceived  how  greatly 
it  exhausted  his  weak  and  shattered  frame,  and  disabled  hmi  from 
entering  on  matters  of  still  deeper  interest.  I  was  anxious  to 
hear  his  dving  testimony  to  the  great  truths  he  had  so  long  taught, 
and  so  strikingly  exemplified  by  a  consistent  and  holy  conduct. 
The  idea  too,  that  a  friendship  which  had  suiiered  no  interrup- 
tion tor  more  tlian  twenty  years,  endeared  by  the  remembrance 
of  his  judicious  advice  and  affectionate  sympathy  in  my  hours  of 
trial  and  affliction,  was  soon  to  be  dissolved,  gave  a  solemn  and 
affecting  interest  to  this  interviesv,  and  1  longed  to  express  my 
gratitude,  as  well  as  to  be  quickened  and  confirmed  by  his  dying 
counsels. 

"  An  opportunity  offered,  and  I  said,  '  Dear  brother,  I  owe 
you  much  love,  and  am  pained  to  be  the  messenger  of  evil 
tidings.  Still  I  cannot  think  it  right  to  withhold  from  you  my 
apprehension  of  the  dangerous  nature  of  your  disease.'  *l 
know  it,  brother,'  he  replied,  •  seven  months  ago  I  was  well  sa- 
tisfied from  whence  this  cough  came  :  th;tt  it  was  a  messenger 

from  above.    I  knew  what  it  meant — but  I  cannot  talk  :  F  . 

do  you  talk.' 

"  I  had  scarcely  resumed  the  conversation,  with  a  remark  on 
the  immense  value  and  importance  of  our  principles,  when  he 
raised  himself  upright  in  his  chair,  and  with  great  solemnity  of 
manner,  said,  '  Brother,  we  are  only  half  awake — we  are  none 
of  us  more  than  half  awake.'  He  seemed  unable  to  proceed, 
for  his  feebleness  was  extreme,  and  to  relieve  him  I  began  again : 
but  he  made  another  effort.  *  The  enemy,  as  our  poor  people 
would  say,  has  been  very  busy  with  me.  I  have  been  in  great 
darkness — a  strange  thought  has  passed  through  my  mind — it  is 
all  delusion.  Brother,  brother,  strong  evidences,  nothing  but 
strong  evidences  will  do  at  such  an  hour  as  this.  I  have  looked 
here  and  looked  thf  re  for  them — all  have  tailed  me — and  so  I 
cast  myself  on  the  sovereign,  free,  and  full  grace  of  God  in  the 
covenant  by  Christ  Jesus  :  and  there,  brother,  (looking  at  me 
with  a  smile  of  tranquillity  quite  indescribable,  and  which  I  shall 
never  forget,)  there  I  have  found  peace.' 

"  I  could  utter  nothing  in  reply.  My  heart  was  quite  full.  I 
grasped  his  hand  and  letl  him  with  a  promise  of  a  speedy  re- 
turn, musing  on  the  similarity  of  his  experience  with  that  ex- 
pressed by  Hooker,  a  fnvounle  with  us  both,  '  To  name  merits, 
iken^  is  to  lay  their  souls  upon  the  rack,  the  memory  of  their  <nm 


mo 


MEMOIRS  OP  THE 


deeds  is  loathsome  to  them,  they  forsake  all  things  wherein  they 
have  put  any  trust  or  confidence — no  staff  to  lean  upon,  no  ease, 
no  rest,  no  comfort  then,  but  only  in  Jesus  Christ.^* 

"  There  are,  doubtless,  many  persons  who  would  feel  sur- 
prise at  the  parti<  ulars  which  I  have  related,  and  might  even  be 
disposed  to  ascribe  our  dear  friend's  distress  of  mind  to  a  cause 
very  remote  from  the  truth.  Those  who  know  nothing  of  in- 
dwelling sin,  whose  standard  i^  low,  and  whose  apprehension  of 
the  law  of  God  is  far  from  spiritual,  cannot  possibly  enter  into 
the  feelings  of  a  man, 

'  who  evil  felt  within, 
And  wheri  he  felt  it,  heaved  a  sigh, 
t^nd  loathed  the  thought  of  sin.' 

"  To  me  it  appears  that  our  friend's  dispensation  was  pecu- 
liarly fitted  to  preserve  him  from  those  feelings  of  self-compla- 
cency to  which  his  extensive  usefulness,  and  the  singular  honour 
which  God  had  put  on  his  ministry,  would  not  fail  to  expose  him. 
*  I  never  knew,'  said  the  late  Mr.  R.  of  York,  *  more  than  one 
person  who  was  not  injured  by  success.'  Therefore,  we  may 
esteem  every  dispensation  merciful,  however  painful,  which 
teaches  the  salutary  lesson,  *  Let  no  man  glory  in  men,  but  he 
that  glorieth,  let  him  glory  in  the  Lord.' 

"  A  conversation  I  had  with  Mrs.  Richmond,  after  her  hus- 
band's decease,  confirmed  my  views  on  this  subject.  When  I 
told  her  what  had  passed  between  us,  she  said,  '  I  can  explain 
the  meaning  of  these  conflicts.  I  had  latterly  often  observed 
my  beloved  husband  in  deep  thought.  He  seemed  to  be  very 
low  and  cheerless.  I  pressed  him  to  unbosom  his  feelings,  that 
I  might  share  his  sorrows  and  sympathise  with  him.  For  a  long 
time  he  was  unwilling  to  enter  on  the  subject,  and  usually  re- 
pHed,  '  nothing,  love,  nothing.'  But  at  last  he  told  me  that 
strange  thoughts  had  been  suggested  to  his  mind,  such  as  had 
never  entered  it  in  his  hours  of  health — thoughts  of  his  exten- 
sive usefulness  in  the  church  of  God.  He  said  he  knew  them 
to  be  suggestions  of  Satan,  but  that  they  overwhelmed  him  with 
deep  and  bitter  anguish.    Pride,  pride,  hateful  thing  !' 

"  Another  idea  has  occurred  to  me  with  respect  to  this  trial  of 
our  dear  friend.  He  had  insisted  much  upon  the  free  and  full 
sufficiency  of  the  dispensatio  n  of  grace  to  meet  man's  extre- 
mity. His  darkness  and  distress  of  mind,  as  well  as  the  sup- 
port he  found  in  his  own  principles,  seemed  to  me  a  practical 
illustration  of  the  grand  doctrine  of  the  cross.    It  was  for  him 

♦  Hooker,  in  his  Sermon  on  Justification. 


REV.  LEGH  RICHMOND. 


321 


to  prove  the  reality  of  what  he  taught.  In  Chnst  every  thing, 
' — out  of  him  nothin^^  He  became  an  example,  as  he  had  been 
a  preacher,  of  the  righteousness  of  faith.  God  humbled  his 
servant,  magnified  the  riches  of  his  own  grace,  and  made  him  a 
pattern  to  us  all,  of  the  necessity  and  sufficiency  of  trust  in 
Christ  alone. 

"  But  after  all,  there  is  much  truth  in  John  Newton's  remark ; 
*  tell  me  not  how  a  man  died,  but  how  he  lived  '  The  weakness 
of  a  dying  hour,  and  the  ravages  of  disease,  may  cloud  the 
mind,  depress  the  spirits,  and  disturb  the  sober  exercises  of  the 
judgment.  One  thing,  however,  my  dear  friend,  is  evident  ;  it 
becomes  us  '  to  set  our  house  in  order,'  before  the  approach  of 
this  trying  hour.  At  that  time  we  should  have  nothing  to  settle 
with  God.  It  is  not  a  season  to  begin  to  turn  to  Christ,  when 
we  cannot  turn  in  our  bed.  May  the  thought  be  ever  present  to 
our  recollection,  •  we  are  only  half  awake.'  The  removal  of 
our  dear  brother  is  a  loud  call  to  u&  to  trim  our  lamps  and  '  wait 
for  our  Lord,'  that  when  he  cometh  and  knocketh,  we  may  open 
to  him  immediately. 

"  Believe  me,  my  dear  friend,  I  am  yours,  very  faithfully, 
though  most  unworthily,  T.  F." 

Letter  to  Mrs.  F  ,  after  Mr.  Richmond's  decease. 

*'  My  dear  Mrs.  F  , — You  wish  me  to  give  you  an  ac- 
count of  the  closing  scene  of  my  beloved  parent's  life.  his 
will  be  attended  with  some  difficulty  ;  for  though  I  was  his  friend 
as  well  as  his  child,  and  the  endeared  companion  of  his  retired 
hours, — and  though  many  events  and  conversations,  full  ot'  deep 
and  affecting  interest,  are  indelibly  engraved  on  my  memory, 
yet  as  I  did  not  anticipate  the  mournful  bereavement,  and  omit- 
ted to  make  memoranda  at  the  time,  1-  find  now  that  much  of  the 
detail  is  irrevocably  lost,  and  I  should  be  afraid  to  write  any 
thing  which  was  not  strictly  and  literally  true. 

"  Yet  the  recollection  of  hours  spent  in  my  beloved  father's 
study,  which  was  indeed  a  hallowed  snnctuary  of  devotion,  keeps 
alive  in  my  mind  an  abiding  conviction  of  the  reality  and  happi- 
ness of  experimental  closet  religion.  When  I  feel  worldly  in- 
fluence stealing  on  me,  and  consequently,  religious  duties  losing 
their  glow  of  interest,  I  have  but  to  think  of  my  departed  parent 
and  of  past  times,  and  my  heart  is  again  warmed,  a  new  energy 
in  the  spiritual  life  seems  imparted,  and  thus  my  soul  does  in- 
deed reahze  that  '  the  memory  of  the  just  is  blessed.' 

"  I  cannot  express  the  veneration  and  love  with  which  he 

28 


322 


MEMOIRS  OP  THE 


was  regarded  by  every  one  of  his  children.  With  an  under- 
standing of  the  very  first  order,  a  mind  elegantly  refined  and 
polished,  and  feehngs  of  the  most  dehcate  susceptibiUty,  he 
had  a  heart  overflowing  with  intense  atfection  towards  each  of 
them,  which  was  shewn  by  daily  and  hourly  attentions  of  the 
most  winning  nature  ;  and  they  found  in  him  not  only  a  coun- 
sellor and  instructor,  but  a  companion  and  bosom  friend.  They 
clung  to  him,  indeed,  with  an  alm<»st  idolatrous  fondness.  Each 
of  my  brothers  and  sisters  will  agree  with  me  in  the  sentiment 
of  dear  Wilberfoice  (it  was  one  of  my  brother's  remarks  a  little 
before  he  closed  his  eyes  upon  his  weeping  parent,)  '  when  my 
heart  feels  too  cold  to  thank  God  for  any  thing  else,  it  can 
thank  him  for  giving  me  such  a  father.'  He  was  the  spiritual 
as  well  as  the  natural  father  of  that  dear  boy  ;  and  I  trust  others 
of  his  children  are  thus  bound  to  him  by  a  tie  strong  and  lasting 
as  eternity  itself.  Surely  the  world  does  not  contain  a  spot  of 
more  sweet  and  uninterrupted  domestic  happiness  than  Purvey 
rectory  presented,  before  death  entered  that  peaceful  dwelhng. 
It  was  ever  the  first  wish  of  my  beloved  father,  that  our  home 
should  be  happy ;  and  he  was  never  so  pleased  as  when  we 
were  all  sitting  around  him.  Both  in  our  childhood  and  youth, 
every  innocent  pleasure  was  resorted  to,  and  all  his  varied  at- 
tainments brought  into  exercise  to  instruct  and  amuse  us.  He 
was  the  sun  of  our  little  system,  and  from  him  seemed  to  be  de- 
rived the  light  and  glow  of  domestic  happiness.  Like  the 
disciple,  whose  loving  spirit  1  have  often  thought  my  dear  fa- 
ther's resembled,  his  motto  was,  '  little  children,  love  one  an- 
other ;'  and  he  taught  this  more  effectually  by  sympathy  than 
even  by  precept.  Religion  was  unfolded  to  us  in  its  most  at- 
tractive form.  We  saw  that  it  was  a  happy  thing  to  be  a  Chris- 
tian. He  was  exempt  from  gloom  and  melancholy,  and  enter- 
ed with  life  and  cheerfulness  into  all  our  sports. 

**  But  we  should  not  have  been  thus  happy  in  domestic  affec- 
tion, had  not  our  beloved  father  so  carefully  trained  us  in  the 
religion  of  Jesus  Christ.  This  was  his  chief  concern,  his 
hourly  endeavour.  He  did  not  talk  much  with  us  about  re- 
hgion  ;  but  the  books,  studies,  and  even  amusements  to  which 
he  directed  us,  shewed  that  God  was  in  all  his  thoughts,  and 
that  his  great  aim  was  to  prepare  his  children  for  heaven.  Re- 
ligion was  practically  taught  in  all  he  said  and  did,  and  recom- 
mended to  us,  in  his  lovely  domestic  character,  more  powerfully 
than  in  any  other  way.  He  had  a  thousand  winning  ways  to 
lead  our  infant  minds  to  God,  and  explain  to  us  the  love  of  the 
Saviour  to  little  children.    It  was  then  our  first  impressions 


REV.  LEGH  RICHMOND. 


S23 


were  received ;  and  though  for  a  time  they  were  obscured  by 
youthful  vanities,  they  were  never  totally  erased  ;  he  lived  to 
see  them,  in  some  instances,  ripened  into  true  conversion.  It 
was  his  custom  when  we  were  very  young,  to  pray  with  us 
alone  :  he  used  to  take  us  by  turns  into  his  study  ;  and  memory 
still  recalls  the  simple  language  and  affecting  earnestness  with 
which  he  pleaded  for  the  conversion  of  his  child.  I  used  to 
weep  because  he  wept,  though  I  understood  and  felt  little  of  his 
meaning ;  but  I  saw  it  was  all  love,  and  thus  my  earliest  im- 
pression was  associated  with  the  idea  that  it  was  religion  which 
made  him  love  us  so  tenderly,  and  that  prayer  was  an  expres- 
sion of  that  love.  I  was  led  in  this  way  to  pray  for  those  who 
were  kind  to  me,  as  dear  papa  did. 

"  In  conversatitm  he  did  notot'ten  urge  the  subject  of  religion 
direciiy  on  our  attention,  or  question  us  much  as  to  our  persi»nal 
experience  of  it.  He  has  sometimes  regretted  this,  and  called 
it  his  intirraity  ;  but  I  think  he  adopted  a  more  successful  plan. 
He  used  to  watch  over  us  most  cautiously,  and  express  his  opi- 
nion in  writing  :  we  constantly  found  letters  left  in  our  rooms, 
with  directions  to  think  and  pray  over  them.  Reproof  was  al- 
ways conveyed  in  this  way  ;  and  he  als  .  took  the  same  method 
of  questioning  us  on  experimental  religion,  and  of  beseeching 
us  to  become  more  decided  for  God.  Sometimes  he  required 
an  answer ;  but  generally  his  only  request  was.  that  we  would 
*  spread  his  letter  betbre  the  Lord,  and  think  over  it.' 

"  His  reproofs  were  inexpressibly  tender.  He  was  never 
angry  with  us  ;  but  when  we  displea>;ed  him,  he  shewed  it  by 
such  a  sad  and  mournful  countenance,  that  it  touched  us  to  the 
very  heart,  and  produced  more  effect  than  any  pnni>bment  could 
have  done,  for  we  saw  that  it  was  our  dear  father  who  suffered 
the  most.  In  this  way  he  f^ained  such  an  ascendancy  over  our 
affections,  that  none  of  his  children  could  feel  happy  if  h's  smile 
was  withdrawn,  and  all  regarded  that  smile  as  a  rich  reward. 

"  The  anniversaries  of  our  birth-days  were  always  seasons  of 
festivity  amongst  us.  We  were  generally  awakened  with  his 
congratulations  and  blessing.  '  He  rose  up  early  in  the  morn- 
ing, and  offered  sacrifice,  according  to  the  number  of  them 
all :  thus  did  he  continually.'*  I  love  to  recall  those  happy  and 
innocent  days,  when  our  dear  father,  even  in  our  childish  sports, 
was  the  main-spring  of  our  joys,  and  the  contriver  of  every 
amusement.  We  always  found  a  birth-day  present  for  us,  often 
accompanied  by  an  affectionate  note. 


*  Job  I  3, 


I 


324  MEMOIRS  OF  THE 

*'  Though  my  deaf  father  was  naturally  playful  and  lively,  hk 
spirits  were  easily  depressed  ;  and  Ihey  appeared  to  undergo  a 
considerable  change  subsequent  to  the  summer  of  1824,  the 
period  at  which  Wilberforce's  health  began  to  decline  :  Wilber- 
force  was  most  tenderly  endeared  to  him  ;  and  there  was  a 
strong  affinity  in  their  characters.  He  was  just  beginning  to 
unfold  a  very  fine  understanding,  and  his  intellectual  attainments 
were  certainly  superior  for  his  age.  His  mind  had  been  cultiva- 
ted with  much  care  ;  and  the  same  elegance  of  taste  and  delica- 
cy of  feeling,  so  prominent  in  my  father's  character,  seemed 
likewise  to  mark  that  of  his  cherished  boy.  He  manitested  the 
same  inclination  to  the  studies  of  natural  philosophy  ;  and  when 
the  school  lessons  were  finished,  they  were  constantly  engaged  to- 
gether in  these  pursuits.  While  the  other  boys  were  at  play,  VN  il- 
berforce  generally  occupied  himself  in  reading  in  the  study,  and 
trying  experiments,  &c.  Mineralogy,  in  particular,  was  a  tia- 
vourite  science  with  both  ;  and  in  each  instance  it  beguiled  the 
hours  of  declining  health.  Papa  used  to  amuse  himself  with 
his  minerals,  when  all  his  other  scientific  pursuits  failed  to  inte- 
rest him  :  and  poor  W  illy  found  the  same  pleasure  in  this  study  ; 
for  within  a  few  days  of  his  death,  he  was  searching  to  see  how 
many  different  kind  of  stones  might  be  enumerated.  He  had 
never  been  absent  from  home,  but  was  brought  up  under  the  im- 
mediate eye  of  his  parent,  and  watched  with  ceaseless  care. 
He  was  now  preparing  for  college,  and  sanguine  in  the  hope  that 
he  mi^rht  distinguish  himself ;  and  his  father  was  looking  for- 
ward with  deep  interest  to  this  period. 

"  In  the  summer  of  1824,  my  brother  ruptured  a  blood-vessel, 
and  began  to  spit  blood.  iMy  dear  father  discovered  great  anxi- 
ety and  alarm  ;  though  we  did  not,  for  a  long  time,  know  how 
deeply  he  was  aff*ected.  He  afterwards  told  mamma,  that  on 
that  morning,  as  he  looked  on  VVilberforce,  he  felt  a  shock,  which 
seemed  to  shatter  him  to  the  very  soul,  and  from  which  he  never 
after  recovered.  '  ie  did,  indeed,  to  use  his  own  words,  '  roll 
the  troublous  calamity  on  God,'  but  nature  sunk  under  the 
stroke. 

"  In  June  1824,  he  took  a  journey  to  Scotland,  to  place 
Wilberforce  under  the  care  of  Dr.  Stewart.  I  was  their  com- 
panion iu  that  journey,  which  I  have  a  mournful  pleasure  in 
retracing. 

It  was  very  pleasant  to  travel  with  my  father,  he  had  such 
an  exquisite  perception  of  the  beauties  of  nature ;  and  every 
object  of  interest  was  pointed  out  to  us  with  his  own  elegant  and 
devotional  associations.    Often  has  he  wandered  on  through  the 


REV.  LEGH  RICHMOND. 


325 


fine  scenes  of  Scotland,  both  by  day-light  and  moon-light,  with 
poor  VYillv  and  myself  at  his  side  ;  and  we  have  sat  down  to- 
gether on  the  sea-shore,  or  by  the  hedge-side,  while  he  shewed  us 
the  imafije  of  his  Deity  in  the  beauty  of  his  works  :  and  whether 
he  was  contemplating  the  simple  wild-flower  or  the  resplendent 
firmament,  he  would  point  to  the  hand  of  Omnipotence  m  both. 
But  his  enjoyments  at  this  time  greatly  depended  upon  his  dear 
boy's  being  able  to  participate  in  them :  if  Willy  drooped,  his 
spirits  were  gone,  and  nature  lost  its  power  to  charm.  I  think 
he  was  gradually  declining  in  his  own  health,  though  he  did  not 
complam.  He  was  watching  the  det  ay  of  his  beloved  son, 
while  his  own  frame  was  giving  away. 

"  We  returned  home  in  x  'ctober,  with  no  material  benefit  to 
our  dear  invalid  :  and  in  January  i825,  after  a  happy  and  even 
triumphant  experience  of  the  power  of  rehgion.  my  brother 
breathed  his  last  gentle  sigh  in  the  arms  of  his  afflicted  father, 
who  had  been,  in  God's  hands,  his  sole  teacher,  comforter,  and 
supporter.  He  was  ever  at  the  dying  pillow  of  his  suffering 
child,  reading,  praying,  and  comforting  him,  by  day  and  by  night. 
Before  us,  he  appeared  composed  and  tranquil;  but  in  his  retired 
moments,  I  have  heard  him  give  vent  to  his  feelings,  with  strong 
*  crying  and  tears.'  I  remember,  on  the  evening  of  W^ilberforce's 
death,  after  he  had  yielded  to  the  first  burst  of  grief,  he  clasped 
the  inanimate  form  to  his  heart,  laid  it  down,  dried  his  tears, 
and  collecting  us  together  in  the  study,  he  knelt  down,  and  utter- 
ed only  the  language  of  praise  and  gratitude.  For  a  httle  mo- 
ment he  seemed  not  only  to  follow,  but  to  realize  his  child's 
flight  and  welcome  to  the  realms  of  glory.  His  whole  conduct 
seemed  to  express,  '  though  I  should  see  his  hand  lifted  to  slay 
me,  yet  from  that  same  hand  will  I  look  for  salvation.' 

"  He  was  much  comforted,  at  this  time,  in  his  parish,  and  in 
his  own  family.  In  the  parish,  there  appeared  a  remarkable  revi- 
val of  religion,  particularly  among  the  young  people.  It  might  be 
truly  said,  '  there  were  added  to  the  church  daily,  such  as  should 
be  saved.'  This  dear  boy's  death  appeared  to  be  the  hfe  of 
many  souls  ;  and,  in  my  dear  father's  own  language,  '  they 
were  the  spiritual  roses,  blooming  around  the  grave  of  his 
Willy.' 

At  this  time,  his  character  as  a  parish  priest  shone  forth  most 
eminently.  He  was  singularly  blessed  among  his  flock.  His 
heart  was  cdways  in  his  work  ;  but  more  particularly  did  he  now 
preach  the  word,  in  season  and  out  of  season  ;  '  reproving,  re- 
buking, exhorting,  with  all  long-suffering  and  doctrine.'  Ao 
increase  of  religious  inquiry  and  anxiety  among  his  people  pro- 


326 


MEMOIRS  OP  THE 


duced  a  corresponding  inr.i*ftasp  of  visiting  and  teaching  oti  his 
part.  He  regularly  met  a  party  of  his  pious  poor  at  a  neighbour- 
ing cottage,  on  Tuesdays  ;  frequently  a  different  set  on  Thurs- 
days ;  and  on  Sunday  nights,  after  his  fatiguing  duties  in  the 
church,  he  met  those  who  had  been  n^wly  awakened  to  spiritual 
life.  His  heart  seemed  particularly  interested  in  this  last  little 
party,  which  he  used  to  call  '  his  spiritual  nursery.^  I  have 
looked  at  him  with  astonishment,  when  he  came  to  us  on  Sunday 
nights.  Unceasingly  occupied,  from  ten  in  the  morning  till  ten 
at  night,  he  met  us  with  his  usual  cheerfulness,  and  entered  into 
animated  and  interesting  conversation,  as  if  no  fatigue  was  felt. 
On  Sunday  evenings,  after  the  administration  of  the  sacrament, 
he  met  the  communicants.  On  these  occasions,  he  was  happy 
in  being  surrounded  by  his  spiritual  cliildren,  dearly  loved  by 
him,  and,  on  the  whole,  he  could  look  on  them  with  approbation 
and  confidence,  as  his  '  glory  and  joy.'  He  was  earnest  in  cn- 
forcini  upon  them  consistency  of  character,  and  uprightness  in 
temporal  affairs  :  anxious  that  the  enemies  of  true  religion  should 
have  no  cause  to  blaspheme  from  the  inconsistencies  of  its  pro- 
fessors, but  that  his  people  should  adorn  the  doctrine  of  God 
their  Saviour,  and  put  to  silence  the  ignorance  of  foolish  men  ; 
shewing,  that  the  doctrines  of  grace  are  the  doctrines  of  holi- 
ness. 

But  not  in  his  parish  alone  was  the  death  of  his  beloved  son 
rendered  singularly  useful ;  his  heart  was  yet  more  comforted 
by  the  hope  of  solid  benefit  to  his  own  family.  The  seed  which 
had  been  sown  with  many  prayers,  and  watered  with  many  tears, 
though  it  had  hitherto  lain  dormant,  began  at  this  time  to  spring 
up  to  the  consolation  of  his  bereaved  heart.  With  unspeakable 
tenderness  he  watched  over  the  signs  of  religious  anxiety  in  his 
children,  weeping  over  them  and  praying  for  them  with  the  most 
vehement  affection. 

"  It  was  a  few  days  after  Willy's  death,  that  my  own  mind 
was  in  a  state  of  agitating  anxiety — thirsting  for  the  knowledge 
of  God  and  his  holinees,  yet  feeling  so  ignorant,  dark,  and  help- 
less, that  I  knew  not  where  to  look  for  encouragement  or  assist- 
ance. My  ignorance  was  my  great  burden.  I  felt  as  if  I 
never  could  understand  religion,  and  with  these  feelinas  I  went 
into  the  study,  where  I  found  my  beloved  parent  in  deep  medi- 
tation. He  seemed  to  perceive  at  one  glance  what  was  the 
matter.  In  his  engaging  manner  he  took  me  on  his  knee,  atid 
folding  me  to  his  heart,  begged  me  to  tell  him  all  I  felt.  This 
was  the  first  time  I  had  opened  my  mind  to  him  on  the  subject 
of  religion.    I  tried  to  tell  him  my  feelings,  dwelling  particularly 


REV.  LEGH  RICHMOND. 


S27 


on  my  ignorance  and  total  blindness  in  spiritual  things.  With 
striking  humility  and  condescension,  he  replied,  '  well,  my  dear 
child,  we  will  begin  rehgion  together.  We  will  set  out  in  the 
first  step,  for  I  have  as  much  need  as  you  to  begin  all  again. 
We  must  go  to  Jesus  Christ  to  be  set  right.  We  will  ask  to  be 
taught  the  first  lesson  in  his  religion,  and  wait  in  the  ignorance 
of  babes  for  his  instruction.' 

"  In  the  following  winter,  ray  dear  father's  failing  spirits  sus- 
tained another  severe  shock.  We  were  expecting  every  week 
our  eldest  brother  from  India.  He  left  home  at  the  age  of  fifteen, 
and  eleven  years  had  now  elapsed  since  his  father  had  seen  him. 
Many  singular  and  affecting  circumstances  had  occurred  during 
this  interval.  He  was  thrice  shipwrecked  ;  and  on  one  occa- 
sion, uith  only  a  few  others,  he  got  safe  to  shore.  In  his  early 
youth  he  had  been  a  source  of  much  sorrow  to  his  parents,  but 
in  a  far  distant  land  his  heart  was  turned  to  the  God  of  his  fa- 
ther ;  and  we  received  the  most  satisfactory  testimonies  to  his 
conversion. 

"  My  father's  sensitive  feelings  were  strained  to  the  highest 
pitch  in  expectation  of  meetinir  his  dear  sailor-boy,  who  was  on 
his  return  to  visit  us  ;  and  he  was  preparing  to  welcome  the 
*  son  who  was  lost  and  is  found,  was  dead  and  is  alive  again, ^ 
when  the  mournful  tidings  of  his  death  reached  us. 

"  Both  the  mind  and  body  of  my  dear  father  was  shattered  by 
this  intelligence.  But  though  suflering  most  acutely,  he  was, 
in  the  former  bereavement,  the  comforter  and  stay  of  his  fa- 
mily ; — concealing  his  own  feelings,  to  mitigate  theirs. 

He  used  to  be  much  alone  at  this  time,  communing  with 
his  own  heart,  in  his  chamber,  in  silence  :  and  no  doubt  it  was 
his  fervent  and  frequent  devotion  which  strengthened  and  en- 
abled him  '  to  comfort  those  who  were  in  trouble,  by  the  com- 
fort wherewith  he  himself  was  comforted  of  God.' 

"  He  had  shut  himself  up  for  six  weeks,  and  never  appeared 
in  public,  except  on  the  Sunday ;  but  when  he  heard  of  the 
anxiety  of  the  people  to  see  him,  and  share  the  sorrows  of  their 
beloved  pastor,  he  desired  them  to  assemble  in  the  school-room : 
and  he  went  there  to  meet  them.  It  was  evidently  too  trying 
and  exciting  for  his  weak  frame.  For  some  time  he  could  not 
speak  ;  but  when  he  recovered  himself,  his  address  was  inex- 
pressibly touching,  and  yet  comforting.  The  people  wept  with 
him,  and  felt  his  sorrows  as  their  own.  He  told  them,  that,  con- 
scious of  their  interest  in  him,  and  of  their  anxiety  to  know  his 
state  of  mind  under  this  afflicting  rod,  he  had  come  on  purpose 
to  tell  them  what  God  could  do  for  the  soul  that  looked  to  hini 


328 


MRMOIRS  OF  THE 


for  help  ;  that  they  might  magnify  the  Lord  with  him,  and  exalt 
his  name  together.  He  said,  that  while  he  had  been  shut  up  in 
the  solitude  of  his  study,  for  the  last  six  weeks,  in  silent  com- 
muning with  God,  he  had  learnt  to  feel,  '  it  is  good  for  me  that 
I  have  been  afflicted,' — that  the  experience  of  his  soul  during 
that  trying  season  had  been,  ' m  ilie  multitude  ol  my  thoughts 
within  me,  thy  comforts  have  refreshed  my  soul.' 

"  He  then  expounded  the  107th  Psalm,  with  reference  to 
poor  Nugent's  case  ;  and  expressed  himself  with  more  than 
ordinary  energy  and  freedom.  He  had  been  tried,  but  he  came 
forth  as  gold-  His  heavenly  Father  seemed  to  say  to  him, 
*  My  son,  give  me  thine  heart and  the  answer  of  his  soul  was 
— '  There  is  none  upon  earth  I  desire  in  comparison  of  thee.' 
While  fainting  beneath  the  heavy  load  of  suffering,  he  tried  to 
say,  Hke  his  blessed  iVIaster,  '  the  cup  which  my  Father  hath 
given  me,  shall  I  not  drink  it  V 

"  He  now  resumed  his  usual  cottage  meetings  ;  and  though 
his  constitution  was  evidently  sinking,  and  he  was  labouring  far 
beyond  his  strength,  he  could  not  be  persuaded  to  relax  or  lessen 
any  of  his  pastoral  engagements.  We  earnestly  pressed  him  to 
retire  for  a  season  from  his  duties  ;  but,  contrary  to  his  usual 
yielding  temper,  he  remained  inflexible  ;  adding  either  '  it  does 
not  injure  me  ;•  or  *  I  shall  suffer  more  in  my  mind,  by  giving 
them  up,  than  in  my  body,  by  attending  to  them.'  The  last 
year  of  his  life  he  had  a  constant  irritalinu;  cough,  which  finally 
settled  upon  his  lungs  ;  and  was  no  doubt  much  increased  by 
such  frequent  talking  and  exposure  to  the  night  air. 

"  I  was  his  constant  companion  in  his  visits  to  the  cottages  ; 
and  he  often  looked  so  worn  and  fatigued,  and  his  spirits  some- 
times so  much  affected,  apparently  with  thoughts  which  he  did 
not  express,  that  I  have  turned  away  to  weep,  and  felt  undefi- 
nable  sensations  of  dread,  as  the  idea  crossed  my  mind,  that  he 
was  meditating  on  the  final  separation. 

"  His  public  discourses  at  this  time  were  particularly  awaken- 
ing, as  well  as  confirming.  VVhile  he  warned  his  flock,  with 
deep  solemnity,  '  lest  any  man  fail  of  the  grace  of  God,'  he  en- 
larged on  the  divine  promises,  the  glory  of  the  Saviour,  and  the 
blessedness  of  the  redeemed.  A  poor  woman  remarked  to  me 
— '  Your  dear  papa  preaches  as  if  he  was  near  home.' 

"  What  he  was  in  his  family  during  the  two  last  years  of  his 
life,  my  pen  can  but  faintly  describe.  Since  Nugent's  and 
W^illy's  death,  his  affections  were  more  concentrated  on  those 
who  were  left ;  and  he  had  also  a  more  endearing  tie,  for  he 
Could  now  look  on  some  of  his  family  as  his  spiritual  children. 


REV.  LEGH  RICHMOND. 


329 


in  conversation  and  reading,  he  could  find  companions  in  them. 
Very  pleasant  is  the  recollection  of  the  happy  and  profitable 
hours  spent  in  my  lather's  study.  He  used  to  awake  me  at  six 
o'clock  every  morning,  and  I  read  to  him  till  breakfast.  He  was 
fond  of  this  early  hour,  and  kept  up  the  plan  even  through  the 
last  winter.  But  it  was  injurious  to  him  ;  for  when  his  cough  was 
bad,  and  his  health  sinking  daily,  he  would  still  rise  before  the 
servants  were  up,  call  me  and  my  brothers^,  and  then  light  his 
ow  n  fire,  that  all  might  be  ready  tor  the  reading  to  commence. 
He  made  many  valuable  remarks  as  we  went  on.  The  last 
winter  months,  he  wished  me  to  read  to  him  the  Cripplegate 
Lectures.  Archbishop  Leighton,  who  was  a  particular  favour- 
ite with  him,  was  the  last  author  wt  read  together.  Sacred  is 
the  memory  of  those  hours  :  his  health  was  declining,  but  his 
soul  was  ripening  for  glory  ;  and  while  listening  with  interest  to 
the  deep  experience  and  triumphant  viftonea  of  these  holy  men, 
he  was  probably  anticipatiuii  the  near  approach  of  that  time  w  hen 
he  should  join  their  company. 

"  His  mind  was  often  tor  days  peaceful  and  tranquil.  At  such 
times  he  never  spoke  of  U  ilbertorce's  death  but  in  terms  of 
gratitude  and  praise  for  his  happy  end  :  but  at  other  times,  the 
vivid  remembrance  of  his  bereavements  seemed  to  overwhelm 
him,  and  to  occasion  new  conflicts.  1  have  heard  his  convul- 
sive sobs  and  his  heart-touching  prayers,  as  1  sat  in  the  room 
beneath  the  study.  I  remember  on  one  day  in  partif  ular,  he 
had  been  a  long  time  done,  wishing  to  be  undisturbed ;  and 
when  I  went  to  him,  I  found  him  in  deep  sorrow.  Willy's 
papers  were  \yins  before  him.  and  he  appeared  in  great  agitation 
of  mind.  In  what  followed,  I  was  struck  with  the  deep  humility 
of  his  feelings.  He  said,  '  it  was  not  unmingled  grief  for  Wil- 
berforce  which  was  then  uppermost ;  he  knew  he  w  as  safe  in 
heaven,  and  that  to  him  death  had  been  victory  :  but  that  the 
thought  painfully  harrassed  him — shall  /  ever  meet  him  in 
heaven  ]  shall  /  indeed  ever  get  there  ^  Friends  try  to  comfort 
me,  by  saying,  (as  if  they  took  it  for  granted.)  that  sorrow  is 
unnecessary  ;  for  the  separation  is  very  short,  and  we  shall  soon 
meet  again  in  heaven.  But,  alas  !  there  is  that  inward  con- 
sciousness of  sin,  and  that  perplexing  conflict,  that  /  cannot 
take  it  for  granted  ;  and  the  thought  is  now  sinking  me  in  the 
very  dust,  shall  I  indeed  meet  him  in  heaven  ? — am  I  sure  eter- 
nity will  unite  us  ?  And  I  often  shudder,  and  tail  down  con- 
founded, at  the  possibility  that,  after  all,  I  may  come  short,  and 
our  separation  be  eternal.' 

This  was  an  affecting  and  important  lesson.   I  saw  that  the 


330 


MEMOIRS  OF  THE 


most  holy  and  established  Christian  is  still  a  sinner,  and  feels 
himself  such  ;  that,  however  high  his  spiritual  attainments  in 
this  life,  the  flesh  still  weighs  down  the  spirit.  I  had  heard  and 
seen  my  dear  father  so  strong  in  faith,  that  heaven  weenied  rei. 
ahzed,  and  victory  obtained  ;  and  I  fancied  he  could  never  have 
a  doubt  of  his  salvation .  Rut  I  found  that  the  father  in  Christ 
could  weep  and  tremble  like  the  babe,  because  of  the  sin  that 
dwelleth  in  him. 

"  My  dear  father's  cough  continued,  and  he  became  very 
thin  ;  and  every  one  remarked  how  ill  he  looked.  But  he  ap- 
peared not  to  notice  it  and  we  thought  he  did  not  apprehend 
danger  :  we  have  ^ince  found  that  we  were  mistaken,  and  that 
he  '  always  looked  on  the  cough  as  a  summons  from  above.' 
He  abated  nothing  of  his  work,  and  still  continued  his  visits  to 
the  poor.  It  was  in  the  cottage  of  sorrow  and  by  the  bed  of  the 
dying,  that  my  beloved  parent's  character  appeared  the  bright- 
est. He  was  the  father  as  well  as  the  minister  of  his  people  ; 
and  they  brought  all  their  dilBculties  and  troubles  to  him,  and 
ever  found  in  him  a  tender  and  judicious  adviser.  He  had  par- 
ticular pleasure  in  conversing  with  the  pious  poor,  and  said  he 
had  learnt  some  of  his  best  lessons  from  them;  that  the  religion 
of  the  poor  in  general  was  more  spiritual  and  sincere  than  that 
of  the  rich ;  that  they  Hved  mon^  simply  the  life  of  faith  on  the 
^on  of  God.  I  have  seen  rny  beloved  father  in  public,  when  the 
gaze  of  admiration  was  fixed  on  him,  and  in  the  private  drawmg- 
room  I  have  beheld  him  the  delight  and  entertainment  of  the 
company,  and  my  heart  has  exulted  in  him  ;  but  it  was  when 
smoothing  the  pillow  of  poverty  and  death,  that  I  most  loved  and 
venerated  him  ;  and  discovered  the  image  of  that  Saviour  '  who 
went  about  doing  good.' 

"  In  the  month  of  February  he  went  to  Cambridge  for  a  fort- 
night, to  enter  Henry.  This  was  another  subject  of  great  anxi- 
ety to  his  mind  .  he  dreaded  the  temptations  of  a  college  life ; 
and  expressed  much  solicitude  lest  his  dear  inexperienced  boy 
should  be  corrupted,  and  his  religion  injured. 

"  When  he  returned  from  <  'ambridge,  we  thought  he  looked 
better.  He  had  been  am(.ng  friends  he  loved,  and  he  derived 
great  pleasure  I'rom  his  visit,  and  appeared  more  cheerful  and 
lively  than  we  had  known  him  for  the  last  two  years.  He  en- 
tered into  conversation  with  spirit,  and  even  amused  and  enter- 
tained us  in  his  engaging  manner.  We  spent  one  week  with  him 
in  this  improved  state  of  health  and  spirits  ;  but  he  soon  relap- 
sed into  his  former  thoughtful  silence.  The  next  week  he 
caught  a  fresh  cold,  and  bis  cough  returned  with  greater  vio- 


REV.  LEGH  RICHMOND. 


331 


leiice  :  yet  he  would  have  preached  on  the  following  Sunday,  if 
his  voice  had  not  entirely  failed  him.  I  do  not  think  he  ima- 
gined that  he  had  seen  his  people  for  the  last  time,  but  that  he 
anticipated  a  temporary  amendment,  sufficient  to  enable  him  to 
go  amongst  them  again.  But  his  ministry  was  closed  ;  and  he 
was  to  meet  them  no  more,  till  they  met  at  the  judgment  seat  of 
Christ ! 

"  To  prevent  increase  of  cold,  he  kept  entirely  to  his  study, 
and  never  came  down  stairs  after  that  Sunday  ;  yet  he  read  and 
wrote  as  usual. 

"  It  may  seem  extraordinary  that  he  never  spoke  to  us  on  the 
subject  of  his  death,  but  those  can  understand  it  who  knew  the 
exquisite  tenderness  and  susceptibility  of  his  feelings.  His 
affection  indeed  was  almost  his  affliction.  He  could  not  bear  to 
witness  the  sorrow  which  would  have  filled  our  hearts  in  the  cer- 
tain and  near  prospect  of  separation.  He  wished  us,  1  think, 
to  understand  his  situation  and  to  observe  in  silence. 

"  There  were  no  violent  symptoms  to  mark  the  approach  of 
death,  but  a  gradual  decay  of  strength.  He  sat  with  us  as 
usual  in  his  study-chair  to  the  very  last  day, — almost  to  the  last 
hour.  I  recollect  many  things  which  I  did  not  then  understand, 
but  which  now  shew  me  that  he  was  preparing  for  death  :  with 
surprising  calmness  he  set  his  house  in  order.  He  made  a  cata- 
logue ot  his  principal  books,  with  memoranda  how  they  were  to 
be  disposed  of ;  also  of  his  minerals  and  philosophical  appara- 
tus ;  he  emptied  all  the  cupboards  round  the  room,  which  had 
not  been  done  for  many  years  ;  he  burnt  every  book  which  he 
thought  of  an  injurious  tendency.  All  this  was  done  for  the 
mo>t  part  in  silence,  it  being  painful  for  him  to  speak,  even  in  a 
whisper.  I  have  seen  him  sit  for  an  hour  together  in  the  deep- 
est abstraction  of  thought — then  he  would  raise  his  eyes,  the 
tears  streaming  down  his  pale  cheeks,  clasping  his  hands,  as  if 
in  the  fervency  of  importunate  prayer — and  again  all  was  com- 
posure, and  he  looked  peaceful  and  hdppy.  He  seemed  to  be 
maintaining  a  constant  communion  with  God.  I  know  he  felt 
deeply  for  his  children,  whom  he  was  about  to  leave  young  and 
inexperienced — exposed  to  a  world  of  sin  and  temptation.  My 
brother  and  I  have  frequently  heard  him  break  forth  in  prayer  for 
us  when  we  had  scarcely  closed  his  door.  The  sounds  were 
faint  and  broken,  but  we  understood  their  import ;  and  the  un- 
utterable tenderness  of  his  manner  towards  us  is  even  now  too 
affecting  to  dwell  upon.  He  would  sometimes  open  his  arms 
for  me  to  come  to  him,  and  laying  his  head  upon  my  shoulder, 
would  fall  again  into  deep  thought.    His  parish  also  was  always 


332 


MEMOinS  OP  THE 


upon  his  mind.  He  was  continually  inquiring  about  the  people, 
and  sending  me  with  messa«i^e<  to  them ;  and  he  hstened  with 
much  interest  to  the  report  I  made  of  them. 

One  ')f  his  converts,  a  young  girl  of  nineteen,  was  at  this 
time  on  the  bed  of  death,  and  my  dear  father  regretted  much  he 
could  not  visit  her  ;  but  he  was  very  anxious  to  comfort  and  in- 
struct her  through  me.  She  survived  him  two  months,  and  died 
in  the  same  peace,  perhaps  with  more  triumph.  She  said,  just 
before  her  death,  '  she  longed  yet  more  for  heaven,  because  her 
dear  minister  was  there  to  welcome  her.'  I  know  that  he  was 
full  of  anxiety  for  a  suitable  successor,  and  the  idea  of  his  flock 
being  dispersed  hung  heavy  upon  his  spirits.  One  morning, 
when  I  was  sitting  near  him,  he  burst  into  tears  and  said,  '  Oh ! 
my  parish  !  my  poor  parish.  I  feel  as  if  I  had  done  nothing  for 
it,  as  if  it  had  been  so  much  neglected.  I  have  not  done  half 
that  I  ought.'  It  was  more  than  I  could  bear  to  hear  him  speak 
in  this  way ;  for  I  had  seen  him  in  weariness,  and  painfulness, 
and  watchings,  spending  and  being  spent,  if  by  any  means  he 
might  win  souls  to  Christ.  I  sugjxested  to  him  his  labours,  and 
the  singular  usefulness  of  his  ministry,  especially  within  the  last 
two  years  :  he  would  still  reply,  '  no  thanks  to  me,  no  thanks  to 
me.  I  see  it  so  different  now,  as  if  I  had  done  just  nothing.  I 
see  nothing  but  neglect,  and  duties  left  undone.'  I  could  not 
help  reflecting  on  the  different  aspect  things  must  have  when 
eternity  is  opening  upon  us. 

He  was  considerably  cheered  soon  after  this,  by  the  prospect 
of  Mr.  H —  becommg  his  curate  ;  it  seemed  to  revive  him  ;  he 
lost  sight  of  other  troubles  in  the  thought  that  his  church  would 
be  \\^ll  supplied. 

"  He  often  recurred  to  Henry's  residence  at  college,  and 
talked  of  his  fear^  for  his  dear  boy  til)  he  was  quite  spent.  He 
would  say,  '  I  have  seen  the  ruin  of  so  many  promising  youths 
by  a  college  life,  and  those  apparently  as  amiable  and  pious  as  my 
own  dear  child.  I  know  the  difiiruity  of  maintaining  spiritual 
religion  at  Cambridge.  Even  studies  which  are  in  themselves 
lawful,  and  which  he  ought  to  pursue,  have  a  tendency  to  weaken 
piety,  and  interrupt  private  devotion.  Christ  has  often  been  crU" 
cijied  between  classics  and  mathematics.  I  wish  him  to  be  dili- 
gent in  his  studies,  but  the  Bible  is  the  proper  library  for  a  young 
man  entering  into  the  church.  If  he  does  but  understand  the 
Bible  experimentally,  I  shall  be  content.  Bid  him,  F — ,  to  be 
very  careful  of  his  companions,  that  they  be  few,  and  more  ad- 
vanced in  religion  than  himself ;  and  particularly  that  he  attends 
Mr.  S — 's  ministry.    It  cheers  my  heart,  that  there  is  such  a 


REV.  LEGH  RICHMOND. 


333 


ministry  at  Cambridge.  Be  sure  you  talk  to  him  about  these 
things.  Warn  him  of  declensions,  and  against  sacrificing  reli- 
gion to  the  desire  of  distinction.  That  dear  boy,  and  his  ap- 
proaching trials,  are  never  out  of  my  thoughts  ;  I  think  of  him 
by  day,  and  dream  of  him  by  night.' 

"  We  found  in  his  desk  a  sheet  of  paper  on  which  was  written 
^  Cambrid^je  documents. '  These  were  directions  for  Henry, 
but  not  finished.  He  had  often  expressed  a  great  desire  to  see 
a  son  in  the  church,  ready  to  take  his  place.  Mf  I  might  but 
hear  a  true  gospel  sermon  from  one  of  my  children,  I  should  die 
in  peace.'  On  another  occasion,  he  expressed  great  delight  that 
his  young  friend  C.  H —  visited  the  poor,  and  said,  '  you  must 
recommend  this  to  Henry,  as  the  very  best  preparation  for  the 
ministry.  Try,  my  dear  F — ,  to  keep  him  up  to  it.  Tell  him 
his  poor  father  learnt  his  most  valuable  lessons  for  the  ministry, 
and  his  most  useful  experience  in  religion,  in  the  poor  man's 
cottage.' 

"  The  last  time  he  spoke  to  me  on  personal  religion  he  endea- 
voured to  establish  my  mind  in  the  doctrine  of  assurance,  and 
enlarged  on  its  importance,  and  its  tendency  to  promote  both 
comfort  and  obedience.  He  pointed  to  Archbishop  Leighton 
as  my  pattern  :  '  see  how  holily  and  lovingly  that  man  walked 
with  God,  because  he  believed  that  his  salvation  was  safe  and 
settled,  that  he  was  chosen  in  Christ.  Try,  my  dear  child,  to 
expand  your  views  ;  look  at  the  magnificent  scheme  of  salva- 
tion— the  contract  between  the  Father  and  his  eternal  Son. 
How  much  better  to  look  out  of  self,  and  see  all  perfected  in 
Christ.  You  will  never  be  happy  and  strong,  till  you  grasp  the 
covenant  plan  of  redemption.  You  five  upon  self  too  much ; 
you  will  get  misery  and  despair,  but  nothing  else,  by  looking  to 
yourself.  You  live  upon  Christ ;  he  has  done  all  for  you,  if  you 
could  but  believe  it.' 

*'  Of  the  last  sermons  I  read  to  him,  one  was  entitled,  '  Hope 
amidst  Billows,'  the  other  '  The  Behever  a  Hero.'  This  last  I 
read  twice  to  him  ;  and  he  expressed  much  delight  in  listening 
to  it.  It  seemed  to  suit  the  state  of  his  mind,  and  corresponded 
with  his  own  sentiments.  At  one  part  of  the  sermon  he  stopped 
me,  that  he  might  meditate  on  what  he  heard,  and  then  he  said, 
'  read  it  again.'  It  seemed  to  cheer  his  mind.  When  I  had 
finished  it,  '  this,'  said  he,  '  exactly  expresses  what  I  would  say 
to  you  ;  that  is  just  my  sentiment ;'  and  he  told  me  to  turn  down 
the  leaf,  that  he  might  shew  it  to  mamma.  I  have  copied  the 
passage  ;  it  appears  to  me  very  beautiful,  and  is  greatly  endeared 

29 


334 


MEMOIRS  OF  THE 


to  me,  as  having  comforted  my  dear  father  a  few  days  only  be- 
fore his  death. 

*'  '  The  fear  of  God  is  not  a  perplexing  doubting,  and  distrust 
of  his  love  :  on  the  contrary,  it  is  a  fixed  resting  and  trust  in  his 
love.  Many  who  have  some  truth  of  grace  are,  through  weak- 
ness, filled  with  disquieting  fears  ;  but,  possibly,  though  they 
perceive  it  not,  it  may  be  in  some  a  point  of  wilfulness,  a  little 
latent  undiscerne^  aflectation  of  scruplmg  and  doubting,  placing 
much  of  religion  in  it.  True,  where  the  soul  is  really  solicitous 
about  its  interest  in  God,  that  argues  some  grace  ;  but  being 
vexingly  anxious  about  it,  argues  that  grace  is  weak  and  low. 
A  spark  there  is  even  discovered  by  that  smoke,  but  the  great 
smoke  still  continuing  and  nothing  seen  but  it,  argues  there  is 
little  fire,  little  faith,  little  love  ;  and  then  as  it  is  unpleasant  to 
thyself,  so  it  is  to  God,  as  smoke  to  the  eyes.  What  if  one 
should  be  always  questioning  with  a  friend,  whether  he  loved  him 
or  not,  and  upon  every  little  occasion  were  ready  to  think  he 
doth  not.  bf)w  would  they  disrelish  their  society  together,  though 
truly  loving  each  other.  The  far  more  excellent  way,  and  more 
pleasing  both  to  ourselves  and  to  God,  were  to  resolve  on  humble 
trust,  reverence,  and  confidence,  being  most  afraid  to  offend, 
delighting  to  walk  in  his  ways,  loving  him  and  his  will  in  all ; 
and  then  resting  persuaded  of  his  love,  though  he  chastise  us, 
and  even  though  we  offend  him,  and  see  our  offences  in  our 
chastisements,  yet  he  is  good  ;  plenteous  in  redemption,  ready 
to  forgive  ;  therefore  let  Israel  hope  and  trust.  Let  my  soul 
roll  itself  on  him,  and  adventure  there  all  its  weight.  He  bears 
greater  matters,  upholding  the  frame  of  heaven  and  earth,  and  is 
not  troubled  nor  burdened  with  it.' 

"  Three  days  after,  he  asked  me  to  read  one  of  Newton's 
letters,  from  the  volume  entitled  '  The  Aged  Pilgrim's  Triumph.' 
He  listened  to  me  with  interest,  but  did  not  speak,  except  to 
thank  me. 

"  When  his  meals  were  brought  to  him,  he  used  to  clasp  his 
wasted  hands,  and  ask  a  blessing..*^ '  I  thank  thee,  heavenly  Fa- 
ther, for  these  undeserved  mercies  to  such  an  unworthy  sinner.' 
There  may  be  nothing  more  in  the  words  than  any  other  Chris- 
tian would  utter  ;  but  the  humility  and  reverence  of  his  manner 
deeply  affected  us. 

"  Nearly  the  whole  of  Good  Friday,  he  sat  in  a  solemn  pray- 
erful meditation,  with  that  exquisite  print  of  Guido's  before  him, 
the  head  of  our  Saviour  crowned  with  thorns.  His  attention 
seemed  riveted  on  it,  but  he  said  nothing. 

On  Easter  Sunday  the  sacrament  was  administered  at  the 


REV.  LEGH  RICHMOND. 


335 


eliurcli.  This  day  he  regarded  with  pecuHar  reverence,  and 
some  new  converts  generally  partook  of  the  sacred  ordinance  at 
this  time,  whom  he  had  been  preparing  during  the  past  year. 
The  delight  with  which  he  gave  them  these  emblems  of  the  body 
and  blood  of  Christ  was  very  uncommon.  It  would  cheer  his 
spirits  for  weeks.  This  was  the  first  Easter  Sunday  during  his 
residence  at  Turvey  that  he  had  been  prevented  trom  joming 
his  church,  and  commemorating  the  resurrection  of  our  blessed 
Redeemer,  and  he  seemed  to  feel  the  privation  deeply.  Before 
we  went  to  church,  he  told  us  to  remember  bins  at  the  table,  and^ 
he  would  join  the  communion  of  the  saints  in  his  study.  He  said, 
'  I  shall  look  at  my  watch,  and  mark  the  exact  time  and  read  the 
service,  that  I  may  be  one  with  you  in  the  fellowship  of  the  re- 
deemed.' On  our  return  we  saw  the  prayer  b<'ok  open  before 
him,  and  he  was  still  intent  on  the  communion  service.  He 
looked  up  with  great  composure  in  his  countenance,  and  said, 
*  I  have  followed  you  in  every  sentence,  and  1  thmk  I  may  say, 
I  have  indeed  been  with  you,  and  enjoyed  a  sweet  communion.* 
"  He  had  a  great  dislike  to  keep  his  bed  ;  and  I  cannot  but 
acknowledge  the  goodness  of  God,  that  it  was  not  necessary. 
He  rose  every  day,  to  the  last,  and  sat  as  usual  in  his  study : 
only  getting  up  a  little  later,  and  going  to  bed  earlier,  as  his 
strength  gradually  failed  him.  The  last  fortnight  he  was  very 
silent,  and  appeared  constantly  in  prayer  and  meditation, — wait- 
ing his  dismissal,  and  the  end  of  his  earthly  piigiimage.  At 
this  time,  nothing  seemed  to  disturb  him  ;  and  be  appeared  to 
realize  the  full  import  or"  that  blessed  promise,  '  Thou  wilt  keep 
him  in  perfect  peace,  whose  mind  is  stayed  on  thee.'  1  have 
often  thought  he  exemplified  the  faith  his  favourite  Leighton 
commends — '  Let  thy  soul  roil  itself  on  God,  ai  d  adventure 
there  all  its  weight.'  It  was  indeed  an  unspeakable  delight  to 
us  to  observe  the  unruffled  calm  of  his  soul  ;  and  it  confirmed 
our  minds  in  the  truth  and  value  of  the  doctrines  he  had  taught 
for  thirty  years.  We  had  seen  our  beloved  i'athe»-  prostrate  in 
soul  before  God,  under  a  consciousness  of  indwelling  sin  ;  we 
had  heard  him  bemoaning  nmiself,  after  a  long  life  of  usefulness, 
as  an  unprofitable  servant,  renouncing  again  and  again  all  hope 
of  salvation  by  his  own  goodness,  and  fieeing  to  Jesus  as  his 

only  refuge.    To  use  his  words  to  C.  H  '  It  is  only  by 

coming  to  Christ  as  a  little  child,  and  as  for  the  first  time,  that  I 
can  get  peace.'  Yet,  though  for  a  time  perplexed,  he  was  not 
forsaken.  We  saw  him  comforted  of  God,  and  proving  what  he 
had  often  said  to  me — '  Christ  has  firm  hold  of  you,  however 
feeble  your  grasp  of  him  ;'  and  now  we  saw  him  strong  in  faith, 


336 


MEMOIRS  OF  THE 


and  in  the  last  hour  of  dissolving  nature,  rejoice  in  the  sure  and 
certain  hope  of  the  glory  of  God.  He  did  indeed  find,  to  use 
the  dying  words  of  my  beloved  brother,  '  the  rest  that  Christ 
gives  is  sweet.'  He  was  silent,  but  it  was  a  most  expressive 
silence,  and  revealed  emotions  of  joy  and  praise  not  to  be  de- 
scribed. Many  touching  circumstances  occurred,  which  shewed 
both  the  man  and  the  Christian  ;  but  they  are  of  too  delicate  a 
nature  to  be  communicated  beyond  the  circle  of  his  own  family. 
Two  days  before  his  death,  he  received  a  letter,  mentioning 
the  conversion  of  two  persons  (one  of  whom  was  a  ciergyman,) 
by  the  perusal  of  his  tract,  '  The  Dairyman's  Daughter.'  W  hen 
the  letter  was  given  him,  he  seemed  too  feeble  to  open  it  him- 
self, and  desired  Henry  to  read  it  to  him.  The  contents  deeply 
interested  him.  He  raised  himself  in  his  chair,  lifted  up  his 
hand,  and  then  let  it  fall  down  again,  while  he  repeatedly  shook 
his  head.  His  manner  spoke  the  greatest  humility,  as  if  he 
would  say — *  How  unworthy  of  such  honour  !'  For  a  few  mo- 
ments it  seemed  to  administer  a  cordial  to  his  faintmg  spirit,  and 
led  our  minds,  in  reference  to  our  dear  father,  to  contemplate 
the  near  fulfilment  of  that  promise,  '  They  that  turn  many  to 
righteousness,  shall  shine  as  the  stars  for  ever  and  ever.' 

On  Tuesday,  the  8th  of  May,  he  rose  later  than  usual ;  I 
think  it  was  twelve  before  he  got  into  the  study  ;  and  he  was  so 
weak,  that  he  had  great  difficulty  in  walking  there  from  his  bed- 
room. His  breath  was  short,  and  he  looked  very  pale,  but  he 
said  he  felt  no  pain.  He  sat  on  his  readmg-chair,  with  his  head 
resting  on  a  pillow  :  his  countenance  and  manner  was  ralm  and 
peaceful.  In  the  afternoon  he  could  scarcely  support  himself ; 
and  I  kneeled  on  a  chair  behind  him,  and  he  laid  his  head  on  my 
shoulder.  Once  he  seemed  to  be  fainting,  but  he  soon  revived ; 
and,  looking  calmly  at  me,  he  said,  '  Better  now,  love.' 

"  Mamma  could  no  longer  stay  in  the  roomj  and  I  was  left 
alone  with  him  till  five.  He  still  said  nothing,  except  to  assure 
me  he  felt  no  pain.  To  the  very  last,  it  appeared  to  be  his  great 
desire  to  spare  our  feehngs.  We  now  persuaded  him  to  go  to 
bed,  but  we  little  thought  death  was  so  near.  Re  could  not 
walk,  and  we  were  going  to  ring  for  a  servant,  to  assist  him  ;  but 
he  said,  '  I  should  like  Henry  to  carry  me.'  He  was  wasted  to 
a  skeleton  :  Henry  took  him  up  with  great  ease,  and  we  all  fol- 
lowed. I  shall  never  forget  this  most  affecting  moment :  it  was 
a  moment  of  anguish  to  me,  more  than  the  last  scene.  He 
seemed  to  know  that  he  was  leaving  the  study,  never  to  return 
to  it :  his  look  told  me  that  he  knew  it.  This  was  his  favourite 
room,  where  for  more  than  twenty  years  he  had  constantly  car- 


REV.  LEGH  RICHMOND. 


337 


ried  on  his  pursuits.  There  he  had  written  his  books — studied 
his  sermons — instructed  his  children — conversed  with  his  flock, 
and  offered  daily  sacrifice  of  praise  and  prayer.  1  watched 
him,  as  HeWy  carried  him  out  :  his  countenance  preserved  the 
same  look  of  fixed  composure.  He  raised  his  head,  and  gave 
one  searching  look  round  the  room,  on  his  books — his  table — 
his  chair — his  wife — his  children  ; — and  then  the  door  closed 
on  him  forever !  He  gave  the  same  look  round  the  gallery, 
through  which  we  passed,  as  if  he  was  bidding  farewell  to  every 
thing.  There  was  a  peculiar  expression  in  his  countenance, 
which  I  cannot  describe  ;  it  seemed  to  say,  '  Behold,  I  die,  but 
God  will  be  with  you  !'  Henry  seated  him  in  a  chair  ;  and  he 
sat  to  be  undressed,  like  a  little  dependant  child,  in  deep  silence, 
but  without  the  ruffling  of  a  feature. 

About  nine,  he  seemed  rather  wandering ;  and  made 
an  effort  to  speak,  but  we  could  not  make  out  his  meaning ; 
only  we  perceived  he  was  thinking  of  his  church,  for  we  heard 
him  say  several  times,  '  It  will  be  all  confusion  !'  Mamma  ask- 
ed him  what  would  be  confusion.  '  The  church  !  1  here  will 
be  such  confusion  in  my  church !' 

"  A|)out  ten  o'clock,  he  signified  to  mamma,  in  the  gentlest 
whisper,  that  he  wished  to  be  left  alone — to  send  us  all  away,  and 
draw  the  curtains  round  him. 

*'  About  half  past  ten,  Mrs.  G.,  the  kind  and  faithful  nurse  of 
Willy,  tapped  at  my  door.  I  was  reading  the  Bible,  and  had 
just  reached  that  verse,  '  That  ye  be  not  slothful,  but  followers 
of  them  who  through  faith  and  patience  inherit  the  promises.' 
I  have  thought  the  coincidence  remarkable,  at  least  I  trust  it 
will  ever  give  a  quickening  influence  to  that  passage,  when  I 
read  it.  She  told  me  lo  come  and  look  at  my  father.  She  said, 
she  could  hardly  tell  whether  there  was  any  chanije  or  not.  I 
hurried  to  him.  He  raised  his  eyes  to  heaven,  and  then  closed 
them.  I  put  my  cheek  upon  his  ;  and  I  believe  at  that  instant 
I  felt,  for  I  could  not  hear,  his  dying  sigh.  I  thought  he  was 
sleeping,  and  continued  looking  at  him,  till  Hannah  said,  'Your 
jdear  papa  is  in  heaven.'  I  did  not  think  him  dead  ;  and  I  rub- 
bed his  still  warm  hands,  and  kissed  his  pale  cheek,  and  en- 
treated him  to  speak  one  word  to  me  :  but  I  soon  found  it 
was  the  silence  of  death.  All  turned  to  poor  mamma,  who 
was  insensible  ;  and  I  was  thus  left  alone  with  my  dear  father, 
kneeling  beside  him,  with  his  hand  in  mine.  The  same  holy  calm 
sat  on  his  countenance,  and  seemed  to  say — '  Thanks  be  to 
God,  who  has  given  me  the  victory  !' 

The  scene  that  followed  was  truly  afflictive.    The  grief  of 
29* 


338 


MEMOIRS  OF  THE 


the  widow  and  the  fatherless  was  unchecked ;  for  he  who  had 
always  comforted  them,  and  bid  them  kiss  the  rod,  was  no  long- 
er with  them.  The  contrast  between  the  after-scene  of  Wil- 
berforce's  and  our  beloved  parent's  death,  was  peculiarly  affect- 
ing to  me.  When  my  brother  died,  my  father  assembled  us 
together,  to  implore  resignation,  and  offer  praise.  But  when  he 
himself  departed,  all  seemed  gone.  There  was  no  one  to  col- 
lect us  ;  and  we  were  scattered  in  wild  sorrow,  with  a  feeling  of 
desolation  which  was  quite  unutterable. 

"  We  cannot,  we  ought  not  to  forget  such  a  father.  Yea,  I 
would  add,  *  when  I  forget  thee,  may  my  right  hand  forget  her 
cunning.' 

"  The  hand  of  God  has  gone  out  against  us — yet  '  the  seed  of 
the  righteous  is  not  forsaken.'  He  has  cut  off  the  '  stream 
which  made  us  glad,' — but  praised  be  his  name,  he  invites  us 
to  the  '  living  fountain,'  where  our  souls  may  drink  and  be  satis- 
fied.   Believe  me,  my  dear  Mrs.  F., — Your  very  affectionate, 

"F.  R." 

The  Editor  arrived  from  abroad  four  days  after  the  above 
event,  which  conveyed  a  shock  to  his  feelings  the  more  distress- 
ing, as  it  was  unmitigated  by  a  parting  interview.  It  seemed 
as  if  he  had  just  returned  to  perform  the  last  solemn  duty. 

Mr.  Richmond  was  buried  in  the  church  of  Turvey,  and  in 
the  same  vault  which  contained  the  remains  of  his  beloved  Wil- 
berforce,  and  of  two  infant  sons.  The  affecting  circumstances 
of  the  funeral  are  thus  described  by  a  friend,  who  was  a  specta- 
tor of  the  mournful  scene  : — 

"  I  was  hastening  to  witness  the  sad  obsequies  of  this  excel- 
lent man  ;  the  bell  tolled  heavily,  and  seemed  to  smite  on  my 
ear  with  more  than  ordinary  solemnity.  Sorrow  was  depicted 
on  every  countenance,  and  the  mourners  crossed  my  path  at 
every  step.  Even  the  aged  and  the  sick,  who  had  long  heard 
from  his  lips  the  glad  tidings  of  salvation,  crept  out  of  their 
cottages,  resting  on  their  crutches,  or  leaning  on  the  arm  of 
friendship,  to  gaze  on  the  mournful  cavalcade,  and  weep  over 
their  melancholy  bereavement. 

"  Every  eye  exhibited  the  struggle  of  feeling,  and  spoke  more 
for  the  memory  of  the  deceased  than  volumes  written  in  his 
praise.  Multitudes  from  the  neighbouring  villages  were  at- 
tracted to  the  spot,  and  came  to  pay  their  tribute  of  affection  to 
the  memory  of  one  with  whose  name  they  had  long  associated 
feelings  of  respect  ^ind  esteem.    The  members  of  the  men's 


REV.  LEGH  RICHMOND. 


339 


club,  established  by  Mr.  Richmond  at  Turvey,  had  assembled 
with  their  long  wands,  clothed  in  mourning,  and  formed  a  double 
line  from  the  rectory  to  the  church  porch.  Through  this  avenue 
the  body  was  borne,  without  interruption  from  the  crowds  of 
spectators.  It  was  carried  by  six  bearers,  and  the  pall  v/as  held 
by  the  same  number  of  clergymen  from  the  neighbourhood, 
whose  countenances,  marked  with  profound  sorrow,  seemed  to 
say,  '  alas !  my  brother  V  There  followed  as  mourners,  the 
family — the  more  respectable  of  the  parishioners — the  commu- 
nicants— the  friendly  societies  of  young  and  old — the  Sunday 
and  day  schools — and  a  long  train  of  the  poor,  with  many  stran- 
gers who  were  present  on  the  occasion.  The  men's  club  joined 
the  procession  as  it  passed  along ;  and  the  whole  presented  to 
my  eye  the  most  affecting  picture  of  deep  and  sincere  sorrow  I 
ever  witnessed. 

"  The  service  was  read,  at  the  request  of  the  family,  by  Mr. 
Grimshawe,  who  delivered  an  address  at  the  conclusion  of  the 
funeral,  in  compliance  with  the  wishes  of  the  parishioners,  and 
in  accordance  with  the  custom  of  the  deceased  rector." 

The  following  Sunday,  a  sermon  was  preached  at  Turvey 
church,  on  the  occasion,  by  the  Rev.  T.  Fry,  rector  of  Em- 
berton, to  an  overflowing  congregation.  So  great  was  the 
number  of  persons  that  attended,  that  many  went  away,  unable 
to  procure  admittance.  Not  only  was  every  space  in  the 
church  and  the  chancels  occupied,  but  the  marble  monuments 
were  covered  with  people,  and  even  the  large  beams  which  sup- 
ported the  roof.  Mr.  Richmond,  some  years  before  his  decease, 
had  selected  a  passage  of  Scripture  ;  and  Mr.  Fry,  in  compli- 
ance with  the  wishes  of  his  friend,  took  his  text  from  Romans 
vii.  24,  25.  *  O  wretched  man  that  I  am  !  who  shall  deliver 
me  from  the  body  of  this  death?  I  thank  God,  through  Jesus 
Christ  our  Lord.'* 

The  following  testimony,  from  Mrs.  Richmond,  to  the  do- 
mestic character  and  virtues  of  her  excellent  husband,  is  too 
honourable  to  both  parties  not  to  excite  the  interest  of  the 
reader  by  its  insertion. 

"  Dear  Sir, — Allow  me  to  assure  you  of  the  unfeigned  satis^ 
faction  which  I  feel  in  addressing  you  as  the  biographer  of  my 
late  most  dear  and  lamented  husband. 

*  Sermons  were  preached  in  the  neighbourhood  by  tlie  editor  and  oth^r 
clergymen,  the  succeeding  Sunday. 


340 


MEMOIRS  OF  THE 


"  That  the  task  has  devolved  on  you,  who  were  better  ac- 
quainted than  most  others  with  the  quahties  of  him  whom  you 
so  justly  loved  and  valued,  is  a  melancholy  pleasure,  connected 
with  my  afflictive  bereavement. 

"  The  confidential  and  affectionate  intercourse,  which  for  so 
many  years  subsisted  between  you,  afforded  numerous  and  va- 
ried opportunities  for  making  a  just  estimate  of  his  character  : 
and  I  feel  full  confidence  that  you  will  be  faithful  in  your  own 
observations  on  this  honoured  servant  of  the  sanctuary. 

"  To  him  indeed,  it  is  a  thing  of  nought ; — his  witness  is  in 
heaven,  and  his  record  is  on  high.  But  to  those  whom  he  has 
left  behind  in  this  vale  of  tears,  it  is,  I  think,  a  lawful  source 
of  anxiety  and  interest,  that  '  his  name  should  be  had  in  re- 
membrance.' 

"  His  public  character  you  had  more  frequent  and  diversified 
means  of  appreciating  than  I  had.  But  in  the  private  and  family 
circle,  it  may  naturally  be  supposed  that  to  myself  he  was  best 
known. 

In  the  endeared  relations  of  husband  and  father,  those  only 
knew  his  value  who  are  now  left  to  deplore  his  loss.  The 
honoured  but  unworthy  partner  of  his  weal  aud  woe  can  bear 
grateful  testimony  how  truly  he  fulfilled  the  apostolic  injunction 
of  loving  his  wife  :  how  patiently  he  bore  with  her  infirmities  ; 
and  with  what  tenderness  of  mind  and  refinement  of  feeling,  he 
manifested  the  daily  recurring  instances  of  his  affectionate  and 
devoted  attachment. 

"  The  subject  is  sacred  and  delicate,  and  my  pencil  might  be 
thought  to  colour  too  highly  ;  but  on  my  own  heart  is  indelibly 
impressed  the  fond  remembrance  of  what  he  was  to  me — a  re- 
membrance which  death  only  can  efface  ;  and  which  I  humbly 
hope  will  be  renewed,  with  increased  powers  of  recollection, 
when  I  shall  have  come  out  of  this  great  tribulation,  washed  in 
the  blood  of  the  Lamb,  and  made  meet  for  the  inheritance  of 
the  saints  in  light. 

"  Nevertheless,  I  feel  myself  called  upon  to  oflJer  the  tribute 
of  my  heart's  best  effusions  of  gratitude,  for  a  continued  course 
of  connubial  felicity,  enjoyed  by  few  to  the  same  extent.  To 
him  I  was  indebted  for  thirty  years  of  domestic  happiness,  from 
the  recollections  of  which,  '  visions  of  past  enjoyment  rise,  in 
long  and  bright  array  ;'  while  I  am  painfully  reminded  that  they 
are  joys  departed ;  for,  '  in  the  forsaken  tomb,  the  form  beloved 
is  laid  !' 

"  In  how  many  instances  did  he  cast  the  mantle  of  love  over 
my  deficiencies  and  short-comings  ! — and  when  he  might  have 


REV.  LEGH  RICHMOND. 


341 


been  *  much  bold  in  Christ,  to  enjoin  me  that  which  is  conve- 
'    nient ;  yet,  for  love's  sake,  he  rather  besought  me.' 

But  it  is  as  a  candidate  for  heaven  that  I  supremely  feel  my 
obligations  to  my  departed  husband.  Here  the  dispenser  and 
the  possessor  of  all  earthly  joys  must  have  their  close  ; — Here 
all  sublunary  bhss  must  cease  !  But  there,  mortahty  shall  put  on 
immortality  ;  and  the  pleasures  at  God's  right  hand  are  for  ever- 
more. To  his  instrumentality  I  owe  the  hope  of  never-ending 
happiness  ;  and  I  rejoice  in  the  blessed  prospect,  that  from  ha- 
ving been  fellow-pilgrims  on  earth,  we  shall  be  fellow-heirs  of 
glory  in  heaven.  And  if  celestial  happiness  can  be  increased 
by  the  re-union  of  terrestrial  objects  of  affection,  mine  must  re- 
ceive addition  from  again  beholding  him.  The  anticipation 
cheers  my  widowed  heart.  Oh  !  that  we  may  again  meet, 
*  with  our  old  and  with  our  young,  with  our  sons  and  with  our 
daughters.' 

"  As  a  father,  he  possessed  a  tenderness  and  «weetness  of 
affection  almost  peculiar  to  himself.  How  does  my  heart  now 
thrill,  while  I  recall  the  affectionate  and  parental  emotions  with 
which  he  took  each  new-born  babe  in  his  arms  ;  and  like  Simeon 
of  old,  blessed  it !  Those  prayers  were  registered  in  heaven, 
they  have  descended  in  blessings  on  his  children,  and  they  are 
yet  '  the  portion  and  inheritance  for  them,  in  their  Father's 
house  :'  a  bequest  more  precious  than  silver  and  gold.  I  doubt 
not  that  those  prayers  were  accepted  for  the  Saviour's  sake ; 
and  the  surviving  parent  adds  her  petition — '  Therefore,  now  let 
it  please  thee  to  bles^  the  house  of  thy  serviint,  that  it  may  con- 
tinue for  ever  before  thee  :  with  thy  blessing  let  the  house  of 
thy  servant  be  blessed  for  ever.' 

"  In  pourtraying  the  o-eneral  character  of  my  dear  husband, 
his  peculiarly  prominent  feature  of  benevolence  should  be  spe- 
cially noticed  ;  for  he  possessed  it  in  the  most  extended  and 
comprehensive  meaning  of  the  word. 

"  It  was  a  universal  kindne-.s  and  good- will,  best  described  by 
the  charity  which  '  beareth  all  things,  believeth  all  things,  hopeth 
all  things,  endureth  all  things.  A  charily  which  never  failed.' 
There  were  occasions  when  according  to  man's  wisdom,  this 
virtue  might  have  been  and  was  thought  to  partake  of  the  works 
of  supererogation.  And  certain  it  is,  that  in  some  instances, 
the  unsuspecting  simplicity  of  his  disposition  subjected  him  to 
consequences  which  fully  proved  that  the  children  of  this  world 
are  wiser  in  their  generation  than  the  children  of  light ! 

"  But  he  was  ever  mindful  of  the  admonition,  '  never  impute 
a  bad  motive  to  any  one,  while  you  can  find  a  good  one.'  The 


342 


MEMOIRS  OP  THE 


motto  which  encircled  his  heart  was,  '  glory  to  God  in  the  high- 
est, on  earth  peace,  good  will  towards  men.' 

This  was  his  Chri^stian  badge  ;  nor  can  I  recollect  a  single 
instance  in  which  he  ever  laid  it  aside.  *  Speak  not  evil  one  of 
another,'  was  a  very  remarkable  characteristic  of  my  beloved 
husband.  With  David  he  said,  '  I  will  take  heed  to  my  ways, 
that  I  sin  not  with  my  tongue.'  He  appeared  never  to  lose 
sight  of  this  caution,  nt.r  did  he  ever  fail  to  check  the  forgetful- 
ness  of  it  in  others  when  oecasion  required. 

"  His  own  breast  was  the  sacred  depository  of  any  event,  cir- 
cumstance, or  communication  which  cast  reproach  upon  the 
church,  or  on  individuals.  And  that  with  a  conviction,  founded 
upon  the  sure  word  of  God,  that  '  the  tongue  is  an  unruly  evil.' 

"  You,  dear  sir,  need  not  to  be  informed  of  his  unwearied  la- 
bours of  love,  when  publicly  engaged  m  the  cause  of  God. 
You  well  know  that  he  counted  no  personal  sacrifice  too  dear, 
so  that  he  might  win  souls  to  Christ. 

"  Were  any  tempted  to  think  that  he  robbed  his  own  to  enrich 
others,  and  that  enthusiasm  carried  him  too  often  and  too  far  from 
kindred  ties,  and  from  the  appointed  flock  over  which  God  had 
made  him  overseer  1  Let  wife,  children,  and  flock,  separately 
and  unitedly  declare,  without  partiality  and  without  hypocrisy, 
what  was  the  spirit  in  which  he  returned  among  them.  Was  it 
not  invariably  *  in  the  fulness  of  the  gospel  of  peace,'  replen- 
ished with  fresh  arguments  for  each,  that  '  laying  aside  all  ma- 
lice, and  all  guile,  and  hypocrisies,  and  envying,  and  all,  evil- 
speakings  ;  denying  ungodliness  and  worldly  lusts,  we  should 
live  soberly,  righteously,  and  godly  in  this  present  evil  world  ;  | 
laying  up  in  store  a  good  foundation  against  the  time  to  come.' 
How  animating  were  the  details  which  he  gave  of  his  p*-ogress 
through  the  varied  scenes  of  his  pilgrimage,  and  how  calculated 
to  impress  the  conviction,  that  the  love  of  Christ  constrained 
him ! 

Nor  let  it  be  supposed  that  the  breath  of  fame  kindled  in 
his  bosom  any  desires  at  variance  with  the  duties  of  that  more 
confined  sphere  in  which  he  was  permanently  stationed.  I  al- 
ways considered  his  missionary  labours  as  productive  of  fresh 
energies  for  the  discharge  of  his  parochial  duties. 

"  Instant  in  season,  out  of  season,  he  preached  the  word 
with  invigorating  power  and  demonstration  of  the  spirit. — 
Giving  all  dihgence  to  add  to  his  '  faith  virtue,  and  to  vir- 
tue knowledge,  and  to  knowledge  temperance,  and  to  tem- 
perance patience,  and  to  patience  godliness,  and  to  godliness 
brotherly-kindness,  and  to  brotherly-kindness  charity.'  These 


REV.  LEGH  RICHMOND. 


343 


things  being  in  him,  and  abounding,  they  made  him,  that  he  was 
neither  barren  nor  unfruitful  in  the  knowledge  of  our  Lord  Jesus 
Christ. 

"  But  his  days  are  accomplished  :  he  rests  from  his  labours. 
He  is  now  become  a  citizen  of  Zion,  answerable  to  the  descrip- 
tion of  David, '  Lord  who  shall  abide  in  thy  tabernacle?  Who 
shall  dwell  in  thy  holy  hill  1  Fie  that  walketh  uprightly,  and 
■worketh  righteousness,  and  speaketh  the  truth  from  his  heart.' 
And  having  joined  the  hundred  iorty  and  four  thousand,  in  con- 
cert he  proclaims,  '  not  by  works  of  righteousness  which  we 
have  done,  but  according  to  his  mercy  he  saved  us,  by  the  wash- 
ing of  regeneration,  and  renewing  of  the  Holy  Ghost,  which  he 
shed  on  us  abundantly  through  Jesus  C  hrist.' 

"  It  might  naturally  have  been  expected,  that  the  horizon 
around  this  setting  sun  would  have  been  gilded  with  many  a 
bright  though  departing  ray  ;  and  that  he  would  have  winged  his 
flight  to  glory,  commencing  the  hallelujahs  on  earth,  so  soon  to 
be  attuned  to  harps  of  gold  in  heaven  : — that  finding  the  end  of 
all  things  was  at  hand,  he  would  have  spoken  '  as  the  oracles  of 
God, — declaring  that  he  had  not  ibllowed  cunningly  devised 
fables,  when  he  made  known  the  power  of  our  Lord  Jesus 
Christ.'  That  such  was  not  the  case,  can,  I  think,  be  best 
accounted  for  by  those  who  have  most  cause  to  mourn  the  de- 
privation. 

"  The  feelings  of  the  husband  and  the  father  were  too  sensi- 
tive for  the  weakened  frame,  which  shrunk  from  the  excitement 
to  be  apprehended  from  any  direct  allusion  to  the  mournful  event 
which  was  about  to  rend  asunder  a  link  so  strongly  uniting  the 
family  chain.  This  was  the  bitterness  of  death.  For  his  own 
soul,  he  had  long  committed  it  to  the  keeping  of  God,  in  well- 
doing, as  unto  a  faithful  Creator  ;  but  he  would  not  hazard  an 
intermption  to  the  peaceful  calm  with  which  he  anticipated  his 
dismissal  from  the  body.  He  saw  the  restrained  anguish  of  my 
heart,  and  forebore  to  probe  the  wound,  which  he  knew  was 
rankling.    This  it  was  that  imposed  silence. 

"  A  more  tranquil  departure  could  neither  have  been  wished 
nor  granted.  Every  tumult  was  hushed, — all  was  serene, — 
death  had  lost  its  sting,  for  he  had  gained  the  victory  through  our 
Lord  Jesus  Christ.  With  the  utmost  composure,  he  put  his 
house  in  order,  feeling  that  he  must  die,  and  not  live.  The 
placidity  of  his  countenance  expressed  the  peace  within,  speak- 
ing more  than  words  could  have  done  ;  '  and  now,  Lord,  what 
wait  I  for  ?  truly  my  hope  is  even  in  thee.'  Can  I  ever  forget 
the  morning  of  that  day  which  closed  upon  me  as  a  widow  (oh ! 


344  MEMOIRS  OF  THE 

word  of  sorrow)  and  desolate  1  With  what  prophetic  earnest- 
ness did  he  pronounce  the  assurance,  *  God  will  never  leave  you, 
nor  forsake  you  !    It  is  impossible  /' 

"  This  may  be  said  to  have  been  his  parting  benediction.  \ 
For  though  some  few  hours  more  did  elapse,  before  the  depart- 
ure of  the  spirit  to  God  who  gave  it,  yet  the  powers  of  nature 
were  so  exhausted,  that  briefly  reminding  me  '  how  merciful  the 
Lord  has  been  to  us  for  many  years,'  and  with  a  short  exhorta- 
tion to  resignation,  he  continued  in  silent  composure,  waiting 
the  arrival  of  the  heavenly  convoy,  to  be  ushered  into  the  pre- 
sence of  Him  whom,  not  having  seen,  he  loved — and  whom 
now  beholding,  and  knowing  even  as  he  is  known,  he  falls  down 
and  worships  ;  uniting  with  the  innumerable  company  of  angels, 
the  spirits  of  just  men  made  perfect,  and  the  multitude  which  no 
man  can  number,  in  singing  the  song  of  Moses  and  the  Lamb. 
*  Mark  the  upright  man,  and  behold  the  perfect ;  for  the  end  of 
that  man  is  peace.' 

Such  was  my  beloved  husband,  in  life  and  in  death.  What 
he  is  in  glory,  eye  hath  not  seen,  nor  ear  heard,  neither  hath  en- 
tered into  the  heart  to  conceive. 

*  Thus  much  (and  this  is  all)  we  know, — 

He  is  supremely  blest  ; 
Has  done  with  sin,  and  care,  and  woe, 

And  with  his  Saviour  rests.' 

"  In  giving  this  transcript,  dear  sir,  of  thoughts  so  deeply  en- 
graven on  my  heart,  many  a  pang  has  been  revived.  Memory 
retraces  joys  and  sorrows,  each  in  their  turn  a  source  of  grief. 
I  am  painfully  reminded  that  God  '  hath  stripped  me  of  my  glory, 
and  taken  the  crown  from  my  head.'  I  see  myself  surrounded 
by  the  pledges  of  an  ardent  attachment,  and  I  remember  that 
my  children  '  are  orphans  and  fatherless — their  mother  is  a 
widow.'  They  must  set  sail  on  the  ocean  of  life,  exposed  to  the 
chilling  blasts  of  this  inhospitable  cUme,  without  a  pilot  to  warn 
them  of  the  rocks  and  quicksands  to  which  they  will  be  exposed. 
The  guide  of  their  youth,  he  who  would  have  given  to  the  young 
man  knowledge  and  discretion,  is  separated  from  them.  How 
often  will  they  have  need  to  cry  out,  '  My  father,  my  father  !' 

"  For  myself,  I  am  left  to  travel  the  remainder  of  my  pilgrim- 
age solitary  and  alone.  The  bosom  upon  which  I  was  wont  to 
recline,  no  longer  beats  with  affectionate  sympathy,  responsive 
to  my  joys  and  sorrows.  The  evening  of  my  days  must  close  in 
cheerless  solitude  ;  but  the  voice  of  God  is  in  this  dispensation, 
and  it  becomes  me  to  hearken  unto  it.  He  doth  not  willingly 
grieve,  but  says,  '  turn  you  at  my  reproof.' 


EEV.  LEGH  RICHMOND. 


345 


••May  the  Lord  *  make  me  to  know  my  transgression  and 
sin.  May  my  soul  keep  it  still  in  remembrance,  and  be  hum- 
bled in  me.' 

"  '  "VMio  is  wise,  and  he  shall  understand  these  things  ?  Pru- 
dent, and  he  shall  know  them  ?  For  the  ways  of  the  Lord  are 
right,  and  the  just  shall  walk  in  them.' — I  am,  my  dear  sir,  yours, 
very  truly, 

"Mary  Richmond." 

"We  feel  extreme  reluctance  to  trespass  on  this  holy  ground, 
or  interrupt  the  train  of  solemn  thought  and  feeling  which  these 
interesting  letters  of  a  beloved  wite  and  an  affectionate  child 
must  have  inspired  in  the  minds  of  our  readers.  Yet  we  cannot 
close  this  Memoir  with  satisraction  to  ourselves,  or  justice  to 
our  esteemed  friend,  without  noticing  a  few  of  those  qualities 
for  which  he  appears  to  us,  and  to  all  who  knew  him,  to  have 
been  eminently  distinguished. 

The  following  testimonies  from  those  who  possessed  ample 
opportunities  of  forming  a  just  estimate  of  his  character,  are  at 
once  a  faithful  and  honourable  record  both  of  his  public  and  pri- 
vate virtues.  They  will  not  be  the  less  acceptable  for  being  of- 
fered, for  the  most  part,  hymen  whose  names  are  associated  with 
the  distinguished  institutions  that  adorn  the  times  in  which  we 
live. 

"  I  not  only  witnessed,"  says  Dr.  Steinkopff,  the  ability  with 
which  he  publicly  advocated  the  cause  of  the  Bible  Society,  and 
the  powerful  and  beneficial  impression  which  his  addresses  pro- 
duced on  numerous  and  highly  respectable  audiences,  but  I  also 
felt  delighted  with  his  Christian  conversation.  I  saw  him  de- 
voutly perusing  those  sacred  pages  which  he  so  effectively  re- 
commended to  the  attention  of  others,  and  heard  many  an  edify- 
ing remark  dropping  from  his  lips. 

"  Instead  of  living  to  himself,  he  felt  an  ardent  desire  to  live 
to  the  honour  and  glory  of  Him  who  died  for  him,  and  rose 
again.  He  closely  watched  his  own  heart,  temper,  and  dispo- 
sition ;  and  often  expressed  himself  in  terms  of  the  most  un- 
feigned humility  and  self-abasement, — renouncing  all  depen- 
dence on  what  he  had  done,  and  relying  exclusively  on  the  free 
grace  of  God,  and  the  merits  of  his  adorable  Redeemer.  In 
all  my  inter\'iews  with  him,  I  witnessed  a  serenity  of  mind,  and 
cheerfulness  of  temper,  peculiarly  calculated  to  recommend  the 
reUgion  of  Christ." 

"  By  his  fine  imagination,"  obser\'es  the  Rev.  Mr.  Bicker- 

30 


346 


MEMOIRS  OP  THE 


steth,  his  devotional  spirit,  his  full  and  copious  flow  of  expres' 
sien,  and  his  rich  exhibition  of  the  good  tidings  of  redeeming 
grace,  he  interested,  in  a  very  uncommon  degree,  the  large  as- 
semblies he  was  accustomed  to  address.  Some  of  his  most 
extemporaneous  addresses  had  a  beauty  of  conception,  and  a 
glow  of  feeling  quite  irresistible.  Very  many  in  our  own  coun- 
try can  testify,  that  through  his  labours  they  not  only  first  be- 
came sensible  of  the  importance  of  missions,  but  of  the  value 
of  their  own  souls,  and  the  infinite  price  at  which  they  were  re- 
deemed." 

In  allusion  to  his  exertions  in  behalf  of  the  Jews,  the  Rev. 
Mr.  Hawtrey  remarks : — 

"  There  was  something  in  the  cause  of  poor  benighted  and 
outcast  Israel,  which  seemed  peculiarly  congenial  with  his  affec- 
tionate and  sympathizing  spirit.  To  exhibit  their  wrongs,  and 
paint  their  sorrows,  was  a  work  in  which  he  delighted  to  be  en- 
gaged ;  and  he  did  so  with  such  genuine  feeling  and  pathetic 
eloquence,  that  few  could  resist  his  appeals  ;  and  it  would  not 
be  easy  to  define  how  much,  under  God,  that  now  widely  dif- 
fused compassion  for  this  interesting,  but  long  neglected  people, 
is  to  be  attributed  to  his  pious  and  able  exertions  in  their  be- 
half." 

"  Enough  has  been  witnessed  by  me,"  says  the  Rev.  Mr. 
Hughes,  "  on  the  road,  in  families,  and  at  public  meetings,  to 
furnish  the  materials  of  an  ample  testimony  in  favour  of  that  ex- 
cellent and  extraordinary  man.  To  a  sound  understanding,  a  full 
command  of  thoughts  and  language,  a  free  and  graceful  utter- 
ance, and  an  exuberant  imagination,  he  added  those  qualities  of 
the  heart,  which  endeared  him  to  the  whole  of  that  large  circle 
in  which  he  moved.  Piety,  candour,  courtesy,  and  Christian 
kindness  were  embodied  in  all  his  demeanour.  Who  that  knew 
him  could  ever  be  reminded  of  the  gall  of  bitterness,  except  by 
the  perfect  contrast  of  his  own  admirable  dispositions  ? 

"  If  all  the  professed  ministers  and  disciples  of  our  Lord 
shone  with  a  radiance  so  mild,  and  exemplified  a  zeal  so  pious 
and  affectionate,  then  would  the  church  embody  her  arguments 
and  persuasions  in  their  most  effective  and  impressive  form." 

The  Rev.  Mr.  Jones,  of  Creator,  one  of  his  oldest  and  most 
esteemed  friends,  thus  writes  : — 

"  He  was  no  common  man ;  whether  considered  as  a  writer, 
a  speaker,  a  pastor,  a  parent,  or  a  friend.  1  always  felt  it  my 
honour  and  happiness  to  have  the  benefit  of  his  acquaintance, 
and  a  share  in  his  aflfections  ;  which  I  ha^ipily  enjoyed  without 


KEV.  LKGH  RICHMOND. 


347 


iterruptiou,  from  the  time  he  came  to  reside  at  Turvey,  to  the 
lay  he  entered  his  eternal  rest.    And  I  can  now  declare,  with 
he  greatest  truth,  that  the  nearer  I  came  to  him,  and  the  more 
opportunities  1  had  ot"  entering  into  his  real  character,  principles, 
and  disposition,  the  more  I  loved  and  esteemeu  hmi."' 

"  I  admit,"  remarks  the  Rev.  Mr.  Fry,  "  that  the  best  of  men 
are  men  a'  the  best ;  and  that  religion  has  sustained  no  small 
injury  from  the  unmeasured  and  injudicious  encomiums  bestow- 
ed on  its  professors,  by  friends  and  partisans.  Legh  Richmond 
might  have  his  weaknesses,  as  well  as  others,  but  his  faults  were 
the  excesses  ot  his  virtues.  After  a  very  intimate  and  confi- 
dential intercourse  with  him  for  more  than  twenty  years,  I  may 
aver,  in  the  perfect  integrity  of  truth,  that  in  my  jud'^ment 
he  was  equalled  by  few.  and  excelled  by  none.  Although  there 
is  a  considerable  affi  uty  of  character  in  the  general  atlainm*  nts 
and  labours  of  the  distinguished  servants  of  God,  there  were 
some  qualities  in  him  which  might  be  more  peculiarly  called  his 
own. 

Harmony  is  the  perfection  of  character,  and  Legh  Rich- 
mond exhibited  a  beautiful  combination  oi  varied  excellenc  es. 
With  an  acknowledged  superiority  of  talents  and  arquirements, 
and  with  a  tide  of  popularity  and  usefulness,  which  might  have 
induced  a  train  of  fearful  temptations,  he  possessed  a  deep 
consciousness  of  his  own  unworthiness,  and  his  c(-nduct  was 
marked  with  a  most  unfeigned  meekness  and  humihty  ;  no  one 
could  be  more  exempt  from  display.  His  rich  stores  of  mate- 
rial were  always  at  hand,  but  they  were  never  brought  forward 
till  the  occasion  called  for  them.  It  is  often  seen,  that  men  of 
commanding  minds  are  careless  of  the  feelings  of  others,  and 
unwilling  to  stoop  to  the  infirmities  of  the  weak.  In  Legh 
Richmond  were  united  strength  and  sweetness  ;  he  had  a  '  head 
of  intellect,  and  a  heart  of  love,'  as  was  expressively  or  -erved  by 
my  friend  Mr.  Garrard.  He  pc^ssessecl  powers  to  ^^rapple  with 
a  giant,  and  sensibihty  that  would  not  trample  on  a  worm  ;  ten- 
derness, forbearance,  and  sympathy  characterised  his  intercourse 
with  every  one. 

"  Men  of  fine  taste  and  delicate  perceptions  are  frequently 
betrayed  into  fastidiousness ;  and  are  apt  to  be  offended  with 
the  coarseness  and  pecuharity  which  sometmies  disfigures  a  sin- 
cere^nd  genuine  profession  of  religion  ;  but  Mr.  Richmond 
k^t  his  eye  fixed  on  the  jeiuel,  however  rough  and  unsightly  the 
casket  which  contained  it. 

His  largeness  of  heart  embraced  every  part  of  the  church  of 


348 


MEMOIRS  OF  THE 


Christ,  and  the  kindness  and  cordiality  of  his  manner  endeared 
him  to  all. 

*'  From  his  connexion  and  correspondence  with  good  men, 
of  every  denomination,  he  was  suspected  by  some  of  indif- 
ference and  laxity  towards  the  principles  of  his  own  community. 

"  But  if  he  be  the  best  churchman,  the  purity  of  whose  doc- 
trine, and  the  fidelity  of  whose  labours  have  the  most  direct  ten- 
dency to  check  the  progress  of  dissent,  and  to  attract  numerous 
worshippers  within  the  walls  of  our  own  Zion,  no  man  ever  pos- 
sessed a  juster  claim  to  this  title  than  the  subject  of  the  present 
Memoir. 

He  was  conscientiously  and  firmly  attached  to  the  discipHne 
as  well  as  to  the  doctrine  of  the  establishment,  and  never  shrunk 
from  its  defence,  when  he  thought  himself  called  upon  to  advo- 
cate its  cause.* 

*'  He  was  remarkable  for  his  disinterestedness,  and  whenever 
he  asked  a  favour,  it  was  for  others,  and  not  for  himself.  Perhaps 
I  cannot  better  illustrate  this  part  of  his  character  than  by  rela- 
ting an  anecdote  of  Mr.  Howe  (one  of  Oliver  Cromwell's  chap- 
lains,) to  whom,  in  many  points,  Legh  Richmond  bore  a  strong 
resemblance.  Mr.  Howe  was  applied  to  for  protection,  by  men 
of  all  parties,  in  those  eventful  times  ;  and  it  is  said  of  him, 
that  he  never  refused  his  assistance  to  any  person  who  was  a 
'  worthy  man,'  whatever  might  be  his  religious  tenets.  '  Mr, 
Howe,'  (said  the  Protector  to  his  chaplain,)  *  you  have  asked 
favours  for  every  body  beside  yourself,  pray  when  does  your 

*  Mr.  Richmond  once  met  the  late  Rev.  Andrew  Fuller,  the  well  known 
secretary  of  the  Baptist  Missionary  Society  at  the  house  of  Mr  Livius,  in 
Bedford  The  conversation  turned  on  the  Ritual  of  the  Church  of  England. 
Mr.  Fuller  remarked,  "  tlmt  it  assumed  the  sincerity  of  the  worshipper,  which 
he  considered  a  defect."  "  How  would  you  frame  these  services  ?"  said  Mr. 
Richmond  :  "  ^he  Church  presumes,  in  the  judgment  of  charity,  that  all  her 
worshippers  are  sincere,  and  forms  her  Ritual  on  this  principle.  If  they  are 
not  sincere,  tlie  greater  is  their  responsibility."  "But  the  fact,"  said  Mr.  F.,  -'is 
Otherwise  ;  and  charity,  unsupported  by  fact  is  misplaced."  "  How  would  you 
remedy  he  defect  ?"  rejoined  Mr.  Richmond.  Here  the  conversation  was  in- 
terrupted. The  time  being  arrived  for  family  worship,  Mr.  Richmond  expound- 
ed a  passage  of  Scripture,  and  Mr.  Fuller  concluded  with  prayer  ;  after 
which,  our  friend  observed,  with  a  smile,  "your  prayer,  sir,  is  liable  to  the 
same  objection  which  you  make  to  the  services  of  our  church.  Your  petitions 
for  pardon  and  grace,  your  acknowledgment  of  guilt,  your  hope  and  confidence 
in  God  were  all  generally  offered  up  without  qualification,  as  expressive  of  the 
feelings  and  sentiments  of  the  whole  assembly."  "  How  would  you  have  me 
pray  ?"  said  Mr.  F.  "  Precisely  as  you  did,"  replied  Mr.  Richmond — "  but 
you  must  no  longer  adhere  to  your  objection  ;  for  you  were  not  warranted  to 
believe,  except  in  the  judgment  of  charity,  that  all  the  members  of  the  family 
were  sincere  worshippers.  You  have  this  night  authorised  the  principle  o\\ 
which  our  services  were  constructed,  by  your  own  example." 


REV.  LEGH  RICIIMOiVD. 


549 


turn  come.'  '  My  turn,  my  lord  Protector,'  said  Mr.  Howe,  *  is 
always  come  when  I  can  serve  another.' 

"  He  had  a  great  abhorrence  of  slander  in  any  form,  or  on 
any  occasion  :  he  shrunk  from  its  foul  breath,  as  if  he  feared 
his  own  soul  would  be  polluted  by  it.  It  was  a  maxim  with  him, 
*  never  impute  a  bad  motive  where  you  can  find  a  ii:ood  one  ; 
nor  repeat  a  thing  to  the  disadvantage  of  another,  where  impe- 
rious necessity  does  not  require  it.' 

"  It  is  no  small  praise  to  say'of  any  man,  '  they  loved  him  best, 
who  knew  him  most.'  Legh  Richmond  had  not  an  inmate  of 
his  family,  whether  wife,  child,  or  servant,  perhaps  scarcely  a 
parishioner,  who  can  even  now  hear  his  name  without  emotion. 

"  It  is  little  to  say,  that  I  truly  loved  him,  and  shall  ever  cherish 
his  memory  with  affectionate  veneration. 

"  You,  my  dear  friend,  have  a  difficult  task  imposed  on  you, 
and  much  less  time  allowed  than  is  needful,  to  satisfy  the  puTalic 
or  yourself,  in  the  execution  of  a  work  which  is  intended  to  ex- 
hibit the  character  of  one  '  ivho  was  both  a  good  and  a  great 
man,  in  every  'persoii's  esiimation  but  his  own.^  " 

We  merely  add  one  more  short  testimony,  from  the  Rev.  Mr. 
Gauntlett,  the  vicar  of  Olney. 

"Thousands,  and  tens  of  thousands  who  have  hung  with  ad- 
miration, affection,  and  interest  on  his  eloquent  addresses  from 
the  pulpit  and  the  platform  will  unite  in  the  sentiment  that  *  a 
great  man  is  fallen.'  The  sermons  of  Legh  Richmond  were 
characterised  not  only  by  a  depth  of  piety,  and  a  sound  ortho- 
doxy, in  strict  conformity  with  the  Scriptures,  and  with  the 
fathers  of  the  English  church,  but  likewise  by  the  most  pathetic 
and  affectionate  appeals  to  his  auditors  on  the  subject  of  per- 
sonal religion.  His  addresses  on  public  occasions,  in  behalf  of 
many  of  t  ie  religious  societies,  were  marked  by  extraordinary 
powers  of  description  ;  by  a  pathos  which  deeply  interested  and 
affected  his  audience  ;  by  felicitous  and  appropriate  references 
to  present  circumstances,  arising  from  the  occasion  ;  and  by  an 
eloquence  peculiar  to  himself,  which  must  have  been  witnessed 
to  be  duly  appreciated.  Mr.  Richmond  was  strictly  an  extem- 
poraneous speaker.  The  remarks  of  his  brethren,  and  others 
on  the  platform,  were  frequently  made  the  occasions  on  which 
he  formed  the  most  judicious  comments,  gratifying  to  their  au- 
thors, illustrative  of  the  subject,  and  which,  while  they  dehghted, 
at  the  same  time  instructed  and  edified  his  auditors." 

'    We  intended  to  have  drawn  a  summary  of  the  character  of 

30* 


350 


MEMOIRS  OF  THE 


Mr.  Richmond,  founded  on  recollections  of  nearly  twenty  years^ 
continuance  ;  but  our  anxiety  to  afford  room  for  the  contribu- 
tions of  others,  leaves  little  space  for  our  own. 

In  the  few  remarks  which  we  shall  have  occasion  to  offer,  it  is 
as  a  minister  of  the  Gospel,  and  in  the  influence  of  his  example 
and  labours  on  the  a^e  in  which  he  lived,  that  we  shall  principally 
consider  him.  With  powers  of  mind  far  beyond  the  common 
standard,  it  was  his  peculiar  advantage  to  be  born  in  a  period 
singularly  suited  to  their  developement.  The  Bible,  the  Mis- 
sionary, and  the  Jewish  cause,  were  fit  themes  for  a  mind  like 
his,  and  afforded  ample  scope  for  expatiating  on  the  sublime 
truths  and  adorable  mercies  of  the  Christian  revelation,  and  the 
unchangeable  faithfulness,  power,  and  love  of  their  divine  Au- 
thor. Some  men  follow  the  impression  of  the  times  in  which 
the  providence  of  God  has  placed  them.  It  was  his  lot  to  be 
one  of  the  first  and  foremost  in  awakening  and  imparting  it. 
With  a  persevering  energy,  which  no  labour  could  weary,  he  ad- 
vocated the  cause  of  the  various  religious  societies  to  crowded 
and  delighted  auditories  ;  and  roused  the  public  feeling  in  almost 
every  part  of  the  kingdom.  We  willingly  allow  to  others  their 
share  of  fellowship  in  this  great  work  ;  but  no  one  can  review, 
with  holy  gratitude  and  love,  the  present  extent  and  diffusion  of 
this  spirit,  without  exclaiming,  "  we  owe  much  of  its  existence 
to  the  zeal  and  labours  of  Legh  Richmond." 

With  respect  to  the  style  and  manner  of  his  preaching,  after 
what  has  been  already  observed,  little  remains  to  be  added.  His 
views  of  a  subject  were  enlarged  and  comprehensive.  He 
could  present  the  same  idea  under  different  forms  ;  communi- 
cate to  others  the  fervour  of  his  own  conceptions  ;  astonish  by 
rapidity,  and  please  by  variety.  He  delighted  to  lead  the  peni- 
tent sinner  to  repose  on  the  promises  and  mercies  of  the  Gos- 
pel ;  or  he  could  awe  the  conscience,  by  depicting  the  solemni- 
ties of  death  and  judgment.  He  was  not  always  equal,  and  re- 
quired excitement ;  but  on  occasions  that  demanded  the  exercise 
of  deep  thought,  and  the  capacity  to  interest,  to  inform,  and 
edify,  he  seldom  disappointed  expectation.  If  his  labours  had 
not  been  so  extensively  blest  at  Turvey,  we  should  have  said 
that  a  more  public  sphere  would  have  been  better  adapted  to  the 
character  and  powers  of  his  mind.  But  the  Lord  knows  best 
how  to  appoint  our  portion.  St.  John,  even  in  the  retirement  of 
Patmos,  eminently  served  the  cause  of  divine  truth  ;  and,  in 
jiis  prophetic  page,  unfolded  events,  embracing  the  interests  of 
the  church  of  Christ,  till  its  final  consummation  in  eternity. 

As  a  public  speaker,  he  possessed  a  felicity  of  idea  and  ex- 
pression peculiar  to  himself.    His  thoughts  were  natural  and 


EEV.  LEGH  RICHMOND. 


85 1 


simple.  They  seemed  to  flow  without  effort,  and  to  be  the 
spontaneous  production  of  his  mind  ;  but  his  rich  imagination 
clothed  them  in  a  form  that  resembled  the  varied  tints,  the  bril- 
liant glow,  and  the  harmonious  colouring  of  the  rainbow.  His 
images  were  frequently  borrowed  from  the  scenes  of  nature, 
which  were  made  to  illustrate  some  instructive  and  spiritual 
truth.  The  lofty  mountain  and  the  verdant  vale,  the  tranquil 
rivulet,  or  broad  expanse  of  ocean,  all  became  tributary  to  his 
imagination,  and  supplied  materials  to  his  creative  fancy.  He 
could  affect  the  heart  by  touches  the  most  natural,  and  by  appeals 
the  most  pathetic.  He  could  restore  the  spirit  of  a  meeting 
when  it  was  cold  or  languid  ;  could  speak  early  or  late  ;  could 
select  his  topics  from  the  ideas  of  preceding  speakers,  or  invent 
them  for  himself;  while  his  delighted  auditors  would  listen  with 
a  smile  on  the  countenance,  and  with  a  sensation  of  joy  in  the 
heart,  that  seemed  to  take  from  time  its  flight,  and  from  fatigue 
its  weariness.  If  it  be  said  that  this  style  is  less  adapted  to 
religious  subjects,  and  must  have  possessed  more  of  taste  than 
solidity,  more  of  what  was  interesting  to  the  imagination,  than 
edifying  to  the  mind,  or  awakening  to  the  conscience  ;  truth 
and  justice  require  us  to  remark,  that  he  never  forgot  the  spirit- 
ual improvement  of  his  hearers.  As  a  speaker,  he  produced 
the  effect  excited  by  contemplating  a  landscape  of  Claude  ;  but, 
as  in  the  productions  of  that  artist,  amidst  scenes  the  most  pic- 
turesque and  lovely,  the  river  or  waters  of  the  ocean  always 
form  a  leading  and  prominent  feature,  so  in  the  addresses  of 
Legh  Richmond,  "  the  river  of  the  water  of  life"  was  the  one 
great  subject  that  called  forth  every  energy  of  his  mind,  every 
creation  of  his  imagination,  and  every  warm  emotion  of  his 
heart. 

His  conversational  powers  deserve  also  to  be  noticed. 

He  was  usually  silent,  till  called  into  discussion  :  but  when 
once  engaged  in  it,  by  minds  kindred  with  his  own,  and  on  sub- 
jects endeared  to  his  feelings,  he  was  peculiarly  instructive  and 
interesting.  From  the  stores  of  his  rich  and  highly  cultivated 
understanding,  he  would  pour  forth  a  mass  of  valuable  and 
solid  information,  that  surprised  by  its  extent  and  excellence. 
As  he  pursued  the  inquiry,  new  views  and  conceptions  succeeded 
each  other  in  rapid  succession,  like  the  traveller  who  extends 
his  horizon  as  he  scales  the  summit  of  the  mountain.  His  reflec- 
tions shewed  the  fertility  of  his  intellect,  and  the  benignity  of 
his  heart.  He  was  eloquent,  because  his  mind  was  ardent ; 
and  persuasive,  because  truth  was  his  aim  and  object.  These 
qualifications  gave  to  the  hours  of  social  converse  a  charm  which 
refreshed  the  spirit,  and  warmed  and  purified  the  heart.  And 


352 


MEMOIRS  OF  THE 


if  conversation  were  but  more  improved  to  these  ends ;  if  it 
were  considered,  not  as  the  mere  act  of  friendly  and  social  in- 
tercourse, but  as  the  interchange  of  kind  and  affectionate  feel- 
ing, and  the  occasion  of  mutual  edification,  it  would  then  answer 
the  important  design  prescribed  in  the  greatest  of  all  standards.* 
It  would  be  a  means  of  o  mce  ;  and  while  the  stream  itself  might 
lead  to  the  living  fountain,  the  bond  of  social  union  would  be 
strengthened,  the  affections  of  the  soul  be  developed,  and  sor- 
rows lose  half  their  bitterness,  by  the  sweetness  of  Christian 
solace  and  participation. 

In  thus  f\jlly  endeavouring  to  delineate  his  character,  how 
strongly  does  his  image  present  itself  to  the  mind  of  the  writer! 
Recollections  of  the  past  rise  up  in  quick  and  affecting  succes- 
sion. Hours,  once  enlivened  by  edifying  and  delightful  inter- 
course, are  gone  by  forever,  embittered  by  the  regret,  that  the 
profit  they  were  calculated  to  afford  was  not  more  highly  appre- 
ciated. Yet  to  memory  they  are  ever  dear.  And  so  long  as 
affection  shall  glow  in  the  heart,  and  earthly  friendship,  founded 
on  the  principles  of  the  Gospel,  be  justly  considered  as  one  of 
the  sources  of  pure  and  exalted  enjoyment,  he  will  ever  enume- 
rate it  as  one  of  ihe  causes  of  deep-felt  gratitude  to  God,  that 
he  was  honoured  by  the  friendship  of  Legh  Richmond. 

If  it  be  said,  that  in  the  above  outline  there  is  a  faithful  enu- 
meration of  what  is  excellent  in  the  character  of  Legh  Rich- 
mond, and  that  what  now  remains  is  with  equal  fidelity  to  record 
what  is  defective  ;  painful  as  it  is  at  all  times  to  exercise  so  un- 
grateful an  office,  we  are  nevertheless  supported  by  the  convic- 
tion that  we  can  record  no  blemish  that  affected  the  loveliness 
of  the  Christian,  or  the  estimation  of  the  man.  The  vulnerable 
part  of  his  character  has  been  considered  to  be  his  supposed 
neglect  of  his  family  and  parish.  But  we  confidently  appeal 
to  the  numerous  letters  inserted  in  this  Memoir,  exhibiting  the 
most  unequivocal  proofs  of  pious  solicitude  for  their  religious 
principles  and  conduct ;  we  appeal  to  the  testimonies  borne  by 
hi:3  wife,  and  by  one  of  his  own  children,  whether  this  charge  is 
not  most  successfully  refuted  ;  and  whether  the  parental  and  do- 
mestic virtues  do  not  form  that  portion  of  his  character  on  which 
the  heart  reposes  whh  delight  and  admiration  1  In  reference  to 
his  parish,  let  his  pastoral  letters,  let  his  school,  his  communi- 
cants, his  converts,  and  the  tears  and  benedictions  of  his  be- 
reaved parishioners  be  his  witnesses  before  men,  as  they  are  his 
record  before  God.  It  will,  perhaps,  awaken  the  astonishment 
of  thf  reader,  ^^  ho  has  been  contemplating  the  laborious  career 
of  his  life,  to  be  told  that  indolence  was  naturally  his  besetting 

"  Let  your  ppeech  be  always  with  grace,  seasoned  with  salt."— Coloss.  ir.  6. 


REV.  LEGH  RICHMOND. 


353 


shiy  '  the  thorn  in  the  flesh,'  against  which  he  had  unceasingly  to 
contend.  It  will  be  remembered  that  m  his  diary,  the  following 
remarkable  words  occur ;  '  sloth,  detested  sloth,  how  does  it  in- 
jure my  advancement ;'  and  again,  what  methods  shall  1  take 
to  cure  my  spiritual  slothfulnnss  ?  There  must  be  a  struggle 
and  agony — heaven  must  be  taken  with  violence.'*  V\  e  more 
particularly  mention  this  fact,  that  we  may  magnify  that  grace 
which  could  thus  convert  indolence  into  activity,  and  supineness 
into  zeal,  till  life  itself  became  the  sacrifice  of  his  exertions, 
and  he  died  literally  spent  in  his  Master's  service. "j" 

Let  the  reader  improve  the  knowledge  of  this  circumstance 
to  his  own  personal  edification,  and  reflect  that  natural  mfirmi- 
ties  aflbrd  no  justification  for  their  indulgence  ;  that  they  are  not 
only  to  be  resisted,  but  may  be  subdued  ;  that  God's  strength  is 
perfected  in  man's  weakness,  and  that  divine  truth  has  declared 
for  our  encouragement,  '  my  grace  is  s  jflficient  tor  thee." 

There  was  also  an  excess  of  sensibility  in  Mr.  Richmond's 
character,  often  injurious  to  his  inward  serenity  and  comfort,  and 
which  placed  his  feelings  too  much  under  the  dominion  of  others. 
His  tender  spirit  could  not  bear  an  unkind  word,  and  still  less  an 
uncharitable  act ;  and  in  the  hours  of  confidential  intercourse^ 
he  would  deeply  mourn  over  a  tendency,  even  in  what  is  called 
the  rehgious  world,  to  exercise  a  censorious  spirit,  incompatible 
with  Christian  charity,  and  with  the  mild  precepts  of  the  Gospel 
of  peace.  Latterly  the  events  of  hfe  powerfully  affected  him. 
The  editor  could  not  avoid  contrasting  his  friend's  feelings,  at 
this  period,  with  the  calm  serenity  which  he  manifested  in  the 
supposed  last  moments  of  his  dying  wife.  ^  or  can  he  reject 
the  conviction  that  men  feel  and  act  differently  in  different  pe- 
riods and  circumstances  of  life.  The  vigour  of  faith,  so  far  as 
it  is  a  gracious  principle,  may  and  ought  to  triumph  over  the  ills 
of  life.  But  diminished  health  and  weakened  nerves  frequently 
exercise  their  effect  on  the  energies  of  our  Christian  graces. 
]Vo  character  indeed  excites  much  interest  that  is  deficient  in 
sensibility,  and  the  powers  of  refined  taste,  the  rich  imagination, 
and  the  capacity  to  enjoy  and  to  impart  affectionate  emotions, 
are  intimately  allied  to  this  qualification.  But  if  not  duly  regu- 
lated, sensitiveness  of  feeling  preys  upon  the  heart,  and  under- 
mines the  strength  ;  and  the  body  may  become  the  shattered 
victim  of  its  inroads,  and  sink  into  premature  decay. 

*  See  pages  41,  42. 

t  It  was  stated  by  Dr.  Thackeray,  a  well-known  and  highly  respectable  phy- 
sician in  Bedfordshire,  who  attended  him  in  his  last  illness,  that  he  fell  a  martyr 
to  his  ministerial  labours, — tliat  the  death  of  his  son  might  have  hastened  the 
event,  but  that  his  frame  had  been  sinking  for  the  last  two  years. 


354 


MEMOIRS  OP  THE 


We  have  already  alluded  to  his  unfitness  for  the  secular  con- 
cerns and  businev«s  of  common  life.  It  might  be  that  his  mind 
was  absorbed  with  higher  contemplations,  and  that  he  forgot  the 
perishing  dust  of  this  earth,  in  his  pursuit  after  the  imperishable 
riches  of  heaven.  His  excellent  wife  amply  supplied  the  omis- 
sion ;  and  the  manner  in  which  his  children  have  been  brought 
up,  and  educated,  to  the  period  of  his  decease,  is  the  best  com- 
mentary on  the  subject. 

We  are  not  aware  that  we  are  either  called  upon  or  able  to 
enumerate  any  thmo;  further.  And  yet,  if  we  knew  of  any  un- 
favourable circumstance,  that  might  operate  as  a  warning  to 
others,  though  at  the  expense  even  of  our  revered  friend,  we 
assure  the  reader  that  such  is  our  strict  regard  for  truth,  and  our 
desire  to  fulfil  the  ends  of  impartial  justice,  that  we  should  not 
feel  justified  in  withholding  it.  We  wish  to  assign  to  him  no 
virtues  which  he  did  not  possess — to  impute  to  him  no  defects 
with  which  he  is  not  justly  chargeable.  The  first  would  have 
wounded  his  humility  when  living,  and  could  reflect  no  real  ho- 
nour on  his  memory,  now  that  he  is  dead.  The  latter  would 
equally  violate  both  truth  and  friendship.  We  are  convinced 
that  his  own  estimation  of  himself  would  he  best  expressed 
in  the  language  of  the  publican — "  God  be  meiciful  to  me  a 
sinner !" 

But  let  us  raise  our  thoughts  beyond  the  tribunal  of  erring 
mortals.  To  Legh  Ric  hmond  the  judgment  of  man  must  now 
be  a  matter  of  profound  indifference.  Praise  the  most  elevated 
oan  add  nothing  to  the  enjoyments  of  that  scene  on  which  he 
has  entered  ;  censure  the  most  severe  can  detract  nothing  from 
its  blessedness.  Let  it  rather  be  our  inquiry,  how  we  may  best 
imitate  the  virtues  that  have  been  recorded,  and  learn  those 
moral  truths  with  which  his  history  is  connected. 

Let  those  who  have  been  accustomed  to  view  characters  like 
Mr.  Richmond  through  an  unfavourable  medium,  here  recognize 
their  error,  and  acknowledge  how  prejudice  distorts  the  judg- 
ment, and  vitiates  the  feelings  of  the  heart.  One  benefit  which 
the  writer  humbly  anticipates  from  the  present  undertaking  is, 
that  prejudices  may  be  removed  or  softened,  and  a  more  just 
estimate  be  formed  of  the  doctrines,  principles,  and  system  of 
conduct,  which  have  been  brought  under  the  contemplation  of 
the  reader.  Let  theii*  correctness  be  determined  not  by  pre- 
conceived notions,  but  by  a  reference  to  the  Bible,  the  works  of 
the  Reformers,  and  the  Articles  and  Homilies  of  the  Church  of 
England.  The  conviction,  he  trusts,  will  not  fail  to  follow,  in 
the  mind  of  every  candid  reader,  that  it  is  only  in  proportion  as 
men  like  Mr,  Richmond  are  raised  up  and  multiplied,  that  the 


EEV.  LEGH  RICHMOND. 


355 


piety  and  interests  of  our  own  church,  and  those  of  our  common 
Christianity,  can  be  effectually  upheld  and  promoted. 

While  the  admirer  of  the  works  of  Providence,  the  husband, 
the  father,  and  the  Christian  may  derive  important  instruction 
from  the  example  and  writings  of  Legh  Richmond,  it  is  to  the 
ministers  of  the  sanctuary  that  he  pre-eminently  holds  forth  a 
most  profitable  subject  ibr  contemplation.  The  prominent  fea- 
ture in  his  character  is  his  laborious  usefulness.  In  endeavour- 
ing to  trace  the  causes  of  this  fact,  we  should  derogate  from  the 
grace  of  God,  if  we  ascribed  too  much  to  the  nature  of  his  en- 
dowments, to  the  elegance  of  his  taste,  or  to  the  richness  of  his 
imagination.  These  qualifications  may  command  admiration, 
but  they  are  not  necessarily  associated  with  usefulness.  In- 
stances, alas  !  might  be  multiplied  in  proof  of  this  assertion. 
It  was  their  application  that  ennobled  their  character,  by  eleva- 
ting their  object  and  tendency.  All  the  powers  of  Legh  Rich- 
mond were  consecrated  to  the  glory  of  their  divine  Author.  In 
inquiring  more  miniitely  into  the  causes  of  his  success,  we  may 
observe,  that  he  possessed  the  three  important  qualifications 
specified  by  Luther  as  essential  to  constitute  a  good  preacher, 
prayer,  study,  and  temptations.''^  Prayer  brought  from  above 
the  descending  Spirit,  study  furnished  the  materials  for  thought, 
and  outward  trials  and  inward  conflicts  perfected  the  work  of 
fitness.  The  purity  of  his  doctrine  was  a  farther  influential 
cause.  He  was  "  in  doctrine  uncorrupt."  His  divinity  was  not 
diluted  with  earthly  mixture?,  but  flowed  from  the  rock ;  and 
that  rock  was  Christ.  The  saviour  was  exhibited  in  all  his  vari- 
ous offices,  as  Prophet,  Priest,  and  King,  and  embodied  in  every 
precept  and  promise. 

His  zeal  was  another  distinguishing  characteristic.  His  heart 
was  in  his  work.  He  was  "  fervent  in  spirit,  serving  the  Lord.'" 
"  In  every  work  that  he  began  in  the  service  of  the  house  of  God, 
and  in  the  laiv,  and  in  the  commandments,  to  seek  his  God,  he  did 
it  with  all  his  heart,  and  prospered.''^    2.  Chron.  xxxi.  21. 

But  we  must  now  close  our  remarks.  Our  brethren  will  par- 
don our  making  the  application  of  what  has  been  said,  in  the  im- 
pressive words  of  Bishop  Taylor. 

"  God  gives  of  his  Spirit  to  all  men,  but  you  he  hath  made  the 
ministers  of  his  Spirit.  You  are,  and  are  to  be  respectively, 
that  considerable  part  of  mankind,  by  whom  God  intends  to 
plant  holiness  in  the  world  ;  by  you  God  means  to  reign  in  the 
hearts  of  men  ;  and  theretbre  you  are  to  be  first  in  this  kind, 
and  consequently  the  measure  of  all  the  rest.  You  are  the 
choicest  of  his  choice,  the  elect  of  his  election,  a  church  picked 
out  of  the  church.    They  are  to  be  examples  of  good  life  to 


356 


MEMOIRS  OP  REV.  LEGH  RICHMOND. 


one  another  ;  but  you  are  to  be  examples  even  of  the  examples 
themselves.  You  may  be  innocent,  and  yet  not  *  zealous  of 
good  works  ;'  but  if  you  be  not  this,  you  are  not  good  minis- 
ters of  Jesus  Christ.  You  must  be  excellent,  not  Hanquam 
unus  de  populo^^  but  '  tanquam  homo  Dei  not  after  the  com- 
mon manner  of  men,  but  '  after  God's  own  heart not  only 
pure,  but  shining ;  not  only  blameless,  but  didactic,  in  your 
lives  :  that  as  by  your  sermons  you  preach  in  season,  so  by  your 
lives  you  may  preach  out  of  season ;  that  is,  at  all  seasons,  and 
to  all  men  ;  that  they,  seeing  your  good  works,  may  glorify  God 
on  your  behalf,  and  on  their  own."* 

And  oh !  how  great  and  transcendant  will  be  the  reward  of  the 
Christian  pastor  who  has  laboured  with  patience,  and  has  not 
fainted,  and  who  shall  at  length  reap  the  harvest  of  an  eternal 
blessedness  !  His  trials  may,  in  numerous  instances,  be  signal, 
as  in  the  case  of  Legh  Richmond  ;  and  successive  purifymg 
dispensations  may  be  the  ordained  messengers  of  God's  provi- 
dence, and  necessary  to  accomplish  the  mysterious  purposes  of 
his  grace  ;  but  the  days  of  mourning  shall  have  an  end,  and  the 
year  of  recompense  is  at  hand.  And  then  how  justly  may  we 
apply  the  animating  language  recorded  in  the  Volume  of  inspira- 
tion : — "  Who  are  these  which  are  arrayed  in  white  robes  1  And 
whence  came  they  ?  And  I  said  unto  him,  sir,  thou  knowest. 
And  he  said  to  me.  These  are  they  who  came  out  of  great  tribu- 
lation, and  have  washed  their  robes,  and  made  them  white  in  the 
blood  of  the  Lamb.  Therefore  are  they  before  the  throne  of 
God  and  serve  him  day  and  night  in  his  temple  :  and  he  that 
sitteth  on  the  throne  shall  dwell  among  them.  They  shall  hun- 
ger no  more,  neither  thirst  any  more  ;  neither  shall  the  sun  light 
on  them,  nor  any  heat.  For  the  Lamb,  which  is  in  the  midst  of 
the  throne  shall  feed  them,  and  shall  lead  them  unto  living  foun- 
tains of  waters  ;  and  God  shall  wipe  away  all  tears  from  their 
eyes."! 

*  See  Bishop  Taylor's  Sermon,  entitled,  "  The  Minister's  Duty  in  Life  antl 
Doctrine." 

t  Rev.  vii.  13—17. 


THE  END. 


